


'*:» 



MORGAN HORSES: 

% f rmiiim €bbri 

O N 

m ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS REMARKABLE 

AMERICAN BREED OF HORSES; 

TRACING THE PEDIGREE 

FROM THE ORIGINAL JUSTIN MORGAN, THROUGH THK MOST NOTED 01 EFIS 

PllOGENY, DOWN TO THE PRESENT TUIE. 

WITH NUMEROUS PORTRAITS 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

HINTS FOE BREEDING, BREAKING, AND GENERAL USE AND 
MANAGEMENT OF HORSES, 

WITH 

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS TOR TRAINING- THEM FOR EXHIBITION AT 
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. 

/ BT 

D. o/lINSLEY, 

MIDDLKBTJRT, VT. 



NEW YORK: 

O. M. 8 AX TON A NO COMPANY, 

AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHERS, 

No. 140 FuLTox Street. 

1857. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18;V\ by 

C. M. SAXTON AND C0MPA:NT, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of Xow Yor^. 



E. 0. JKXiaNS, 

printer ;nt b c§ t f r c o t g p e r » 

No. 26 Fraxkfort Street. 






.^ 



^^ PREFACE 

Morgan Horses as a distinct and remarkable breed, 
originating in "Vermont, and principally bred there, 
have long been well known to the horsemen of New 
England, and within a few years, to the people of the 
West and South, who, having become acquainted with 
them, have manifested a strong desire to introduce 
them into their sections of the country. 

Tlie author of the following work was acquainted 
with these horses in Vermont, and familiar with their 
peculiar form and action. But it was not until he en- 
gaged in the prosecution of a great public work, at the 
West in 1852, that he became fally aware of their ex- 
traordinary hardiness, speed and endurance, from 
severe use and daily comparison of them with horses 
of different style. 

Having determined to breed from this stock, it in- 
duced a carefcd examination into the different famihes 
which have sprung from the original or Justin Morgan. 



tV PKEFACE. 

In the course of these inquiries a mass of information 
was accumulated, with much labor and considerable 
expense, which was deemed too valuable to be lost. 

After determining to preserve it by publication in 
some form, every effort was made to obtain the most 
reliable information upon all disputed points ; in re- 
gard to the origin of the breed, the history of the 
most distinguished families, and their present condi- 
tion. 

To make the work useful to breeders who are un- 
acquainted with them, the peculiarities of the different 
families have been carefully pointed out, and full 
and minute descriptions given of most of the sons 
and grandsons of the original horse, with tlieir pedi- 
gree, so far as it could be ascertained, and also the 
pedigree and description of many other stallions of 
the breed, more remotely descended from the Justin 
Morgan. 

A large number of cuts have been used, most of 
which have been traced from daguerreotypes, and can 
therefore be relied upon a-s correct portraits of tlio 
forms of the animals they are intended to represent. 
\.n examination of these cuts will enable a good 



PREFACE. V 

horseman to become familiar with the peculiar form 
which is so distinguishing a feature of these horses, 
ind leave him in little doubt as to the cause of their 
remarkable qualities. 

If size is, as is claimed bj some, the measure of 
power, it will be found that form is the measure of 
action. Too much size is, indeed, incompatible with 
rapid and long-continued action. 

The most casual observer of a good Morgan horse, 
is conscious that he sees a pecuhar animal. His short, 
light, rapid step, point to the great muscles which 
give him motion. His prominent, clear, eager eyes, 
set wide apart, ■ testify to his courage and docility — 
while his clean, light head, carried high, with short, 
pointed, sensitive ears, gives grace and elegance to 
every motion. 

A slight description has been given of some of the 
most prominent breeds of horses, that they may readily 
be compared with the Morgan. 

The style, it is hoped, will be found plain and clear. 

To the many gentlemen who have aided us in col- 
lecting the materials for this book we return our sin- 
cere thanks. Their hearty encouragement has cheered 



VI PREFACE. 

as in the prosecution of our work, and mucli of any 
interest that may attach to it, is due to their assistance. 
Should occasion offer, we trust they will afford us an 
opportunity to reciprocate their favors. 

If the publication of this volume should prove in- 
strumental in awakening increased interest in the 
breeding of these noble animals, and in leading farm- 
ers and breeders to the best sources for obtaining 
this stock, or in enabling them to detect the many spu- 
rious animals advertised throughout the country as 
genuine Morgans, the author will feel satisfied that he 

has not labored in vain. 

D. 0. LINSLEY. 
MiDDLEBUET, Vt., September 10, 1856. 



CONTENTS. 

Preface, --------- 3 

Contents, 7 

CnAPTEE I. 

The Meet Esteemed Breed8,of Horses, and the Kinds of Service 

to which they are Adapted, ------ 9 

CHAPTER II. 
Contrast Between the Kinds of Sei'viee Required of Hoises For- 
merly, and at the Present Day, 29 

CHAPTER ni. 
Description of the Kind of Horses most sought for in the Prin- 
cipal Markets of the Country, 44 

CHAPTER IV. 

Peculiar Adaptation of the Morgan Horse to the Road and General 
Use, 63 

CHAPTER y. 
Origin of the Morgan Horse, -------92 

CHAPTER VI. 
Memoir and Description of the Justin Morgan, - - - - 131 

CHAPTER VII. 

History and Description of the Stallions Sired by the Justin 

Morgan, - - 144 

(T) 



viu coxTE^^Ts. 

CHAPTER VIIT. 

General Description of the different Families and their Distin- 
guishing Characteristics, 165 

CHAPTER IX. 
Present Condition of this Stock in Vermont, - . . . 175 

CHAPTER X. 
Pei-formances of Morgan Horses; the Demand for them, and 

their Present Value as indicated by Sales, - - . . 185 

CHAPTER XI. 
Hints as to the Best Methods forImprovin;r and Perpetuating the 
Breed, 200 

CHAPTER Xir. 
HintB in Relation to Breaking and Driving, . - . . 219 

CHAPTER XIII. 
The Proper Manner of Feeding and Driving upou the Road, - 238 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Hints to Purchasers of Morgan or other Horses, ... 250 

CHAPTER XV. 

Pedigrees and Description of Stallions, 260 

Appendi-s, 323 



[EXTEACT.] 

TO THE VERMONT STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIET?. 

The Committee of Awards, to wliom was referred the subject of 
Essays, respectfully report, that they have attended carefully to ths 
duties of their appointment, and do award the First Premium to 
Mr. D. C. Linsley, of Middlebury, for his elaborate Essay on the 
llorg-an Horse. 

In consequence of the peculiar merits of this treatise, the 
Committee feel authorized to commend it to the particular notice 
of the Society, as one eminently adapted to the wants of the peo- 
ple of this State, and as supplying a desideratum long felt, both in 
regard to the true history of the Morgan Horse, and in respect to 
the best methods of its perpetuation. "\Ve believe Mr. Linsley hag 
collected all the facts pertaining to his subject which intelligent re* 
search and thorough devotion can furnish ; and that he has em- 
bodied them in an attractive form and with a just discrimination. 
The information relating to the history of the Breed is important, 
and, we think, can be found in no work yet published ; the style in 
which it is communicated is clear, spirited, and in perfect keeping 
with the subject discussed. 

When it is considered that the sources of information in regard 
to the origin and history of the Morgan Horse, now obscure at the 
best, are rapidly diminishing, and that Mr. Linsley has rescued so 
much, which in a short time would have been beyond the reach of 
the compiler, it m.ust be admitted he has rendered a valuable service 
to the farmers of the State, and one which, in the judgment of the 
Committee, the Society ought not to leave unrecognized. * * * 

January 15, 1856. 

J. A. BECKTVITH, 
EDWAED SEYMOUR, 

E. B. CHASE, \ OommiUes. 

F. E. WOOPBRIDGE, 
JOHN GREGORY. J 

[i] 



St. JoHNSBUiiY, Vt., Juhj 7, 1856. 
D. C. LiNSLEY, Esq. : 

Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 3(1 inst. is at band, as also the 
accompanying drawing of the old Justin Morgan. I knew the 
horse well, and owned him about seven years while in the prime of 
his life. The drawing is a very faithful representation of him as 
he appeared while I owned him, and I can suggest scarcely any 
alteration ; perhaps none that would make it a more faithful copy 
of the original. 

Tours respectfully, 

DAYID GOSS. 



Derby Line, Yt., July 21, 1856. 

D. 0. LiNSLEY, Esq. : — Your favor of the 18th inst, containing a 
drawing of the old Justin Morgan, has this day come to hand, 
and I hasten to reply. In early life it was my privilege to know 
the original Morgan Horse perfectly well, and for some time to see 
him almost daily at the time of his greatest popularity, and I have 
no hesitation in saying, that the drawing exhibited, in my judgment, 
is remarkably correct, and gives a very accurate delineation of tho 
horse as he appeared in life. 

I remain, Dear Sir, yours truly and 

Very respectfully, 

SOLO. STEELE, 



Claremont, N. H., July, 1856. 
D. C. LiNSLEY, Esq. : 

Dear Sir, — I received a line from you yesterday, and with it a 
drawing of the old Justin Morgan or Goss horse. As I have be- 
fore told you, I knew the horse well, having seen him often, and 
kept him one year while Joel Goss owned him. He was far the 
best horse I ever had anything to do with, and my recollection of 
him is perfectly clear and distinct. 

The drawing you send is a very excellent likeness of him, and I 
am pleased to see an effort making, even at this late day, to preserve 
some record of him. 

Yours Respectfully, 

DAN. BALDWIN. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS OF HORSES, AND THE KINDS OF 
SERVICE TO WHICH THEY ARE ADAPTED. 

The history of the horse, iutimatelj interwoyen as 
it is with that of man, can hardly fail to interest the 
most careless student. From the earliest ages he has 
been man's faithful ally and willing slave. In war, he 
not only moves all the machinery of the field and 
camp, but shares with his rider all the fatigue and 
danger of battle. In peace, how various and invalu- 
able are his services. Every branch of industry owes 
much to his patient toil ; he ploughs the soil, sows the 
seed, reaps the harvest, and transports it to the distant 
market. From year to year, and. age to age, he has 
toiled unceasingly for his master, in the cart, the 
mill, the freight-wagon, or the mail-coach. For many 
centuries prior to the construction of canals, almost the 
entire inland commerce of the world was carried on 
by means of the horse. 

Not only has he thus relieved our wants and minis- 
tered to our comfort, but he shares with us in our 
pleasures and amusements ; he not only works steadily 
and patiently in the loaded wagon, but in the race 
becomes as much excited as his master, and appears to 
rejoice in the pleasures of the chase. In gracefulness 
of motion, elegance of form, and dignity of carriage, 
he is superior to every other quadruped ; and by those 
1-^ (^ 



10 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

nations to wliom he is known he is almost universally 
considered the most useful and manageable of all 
our domestic animals Hence he has been admired, 
cherished and loved, equally by the most enlightened 
and most barbarous races of men. More time, money 
and intellect have been used in the attempt to improve 
and perpetuate the distinguishing characteristics of the 
best breeds, than has been expended upon any^ perhaps 
it may be safely said all^ other animals. His servant in the 
field, his companion in the chase, and his willing slave 
in trials of speed, he becomes the pride, the joy and 
boast of his master. Boundless wealth is often scattered 
for pleasures and amusements^ in which the flying foot 
of the horse is the chief attraction. Attached to his 
master and obedient to his will, he bears him without 
question or murmur, through sunshine and storm, over 
mountains and through rivers ; carries him with un- 
faltering nerves into the thickest of the battle, and if 
repulsed, his speed and endurance bid defiance to pur- 
suit. 

Hence no animal has received the same care and 
attention in breeding and training as the horse. 

Though the horse was domesticated in the time of 
Moses, and is frequently mentioned in history, yet we 
know little of his condition, or the manner in which 
he was trained, until about four hundred years before 
Christ. Xenophon was the first writer who left us any 
record of what were then considered the best points of 
a good horse ; or described, critically and in detail, the 
proper method of breaking and training him. Consid- 
ering that nearly twenty-three hundred years have 
elapsed since this essay vra^ written, it must certainly 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. H 

be deemed surprisiug that it should still be admitted 
as a standard authority upon the subjects of which it 
treats. 

Among the ancients the horse was little used, except 
in war and the chase. For these uses the wild horses 
of the East are perhaps as well adapted as any other 
breed now in existence. The wild horse being so well 
suited to the wants of the ancients, no attempt would 
be made to improve him or alter his general conforma- 
tion by careful breeding. Had other wants been felt, 
and efforts made to alter his general form, it could 
hardly have been productive of any improvement or 
important change; for, to be successful, the breeding 
must not only be continued for several generations, 
but must be undertaken by a people fixed in their 
habits, devoted to agriculture, and perfectly conversant 
with the g. eat, physical laws that must be carefully ob- 
served in crossing different breeds of animals, in order 
to insure success. The ancients had not these advan- 
tages, and'we think it may safely be inferred, that up 
to the commencement of the Christian era, the main 
characteristics of the horse had undergone little change, 
except such as had been produced by the climates in 
which he lived, the nature of the soil, and the pastures 
upon which he fed. 

In the central and northern parts of Asia, and the 
northern part of Europe, where the climate is cold and 
the vegetation scanty, the wild horses were then, and 
are still, small, but active and hardy, with bodies 
closely knit, and hair thick and long. They are capa- 
ble of performing the longest marches without exhibit- 
ing fatigue, are fleet, sure-footed, and well adapted 



12 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

for service in tlie cold and mountainous countries in 
^vllicll they are found. 

The earliest records we have of the horse, trace him 
to Egj^pt, whence he gradually found his way to 
the various Egyptian colonies. Among the African 
varieties, the Barh is remarkable for his fine and graceful 
action; and is found chiefly in Morocco and Fez. II3 
is lower than the Arabian, seldom exceeding fourteen 
hands. The shoulders are flat, the chest deep, the 
joints inclined to be a little long, and the head very 
fine. He is superior to the Arab in form, but has not 
his speed and endurance, nor his spirit and "counte- 
nsmce." The Barb has chiefly contributed to the excel- 
lence of the Spanish horse. The Godolphin Artibian was 
a Barb, and from him has descended some of the best 
racing stock of England. 

The Arabian horse deservedly occupies the very 
highest rank. So late as the seventh century, the 
Arabs had very few horses, and those of a very in- 
ferior quality. The horses that the}'' obtained from 
Cappadocia and other neighboring countries Avere 
preserved with so much care, and so uniformly pro- 
pagated from the finest animals, that in the thirteenth 
centurj' they had obtained great celebrity. The 
Arabs divide their horses into three classes : the 
Attechi^ or inferior breed, which are little valued, and 
are found wild in some parts of the desert ; the Kadis- 
eld, or mixed breed ; and the Koclilani, or thorough- 
bred. Many of the latter have well-attested joedigrees 
extending more than four hundred years, and the 
Arab confidently asserts that the pedigree of his 
favorite mare can be traced directlv to the stud 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 13 

of Solomon. More care is taken to preserve tlie 
pedigree of their horses, than the genealogies of their 
chiefs : these pedigrees are always reckoned from the 
dams. The Arabian horse might not always be 
acknowledged to possess a perfect form, but no one 
can fail to admire his inimitable head. The broad, 
square forehead, the short, lean, firm, and delicate 
muzzle, the bright, prominent, and intelligent eye, the 
small, sprightly, and almost transparent ears, are uni- 
versally acknowledged to be unrivalled in any other 
breed. The fineness of his legs, and the oblique posi- 
tion of his pasterns, may be supposed to lessen l\U 
strength ; but the legs, although small, are flat and 
wiry, and they are not required to carry heavy 
Tv'eights. The muscles of the thigh and fore-arm are 
strikinojly developed, and assure us of his ability to 
perform many of the feats of strengtli and endurance 
related of him ; but in reading of his really marvellous 
marches, we must remember that there are no watches 
to note accuratel}' the time, nor mile- stones to mark 
correctly the distances on the paths of the desert, and 
we must make some allowance for the proneness of the 
Bedouin to exaggeration. The Arabian horse is as 
celebrated for his docility as for his speed and courage. 
He rarely exceeds fourteen hands in height, his body 
is light, his hips and loins excellent, and his shoulders 
extremely beautiful. It is to the Arabian that the 
English are chiefly indebted for their unrivalled breed 
of horses for the turf and the chase. 

The Dongola horses, bred in the kingdom of Dongola, 
and the country lying between Egypt and Abyssinia, 
are somewhat celebrated for their showy appearance 



14 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

They are full sixteen hands iiigli, witli very short 
bodies, long necks, fine crests, and sharp, high withers ; 
but the breast is too narrow, the quarters and flanks 
flat and thin, with carped or roached backs. Some 
of these horses were imported into England about 
1825, but were little valued. 

There are several breeds of horses in India, of which 
the Toorkj is the best, and is descended from the Per- 
sian. 

The Chinese horse is very inferior, and unworthy of 
notice. 

The Persian horse deservedly ranks next to the 
Arabian ; his head is almost equally fine, his hip and 
croup better; he is more stoutly built, is equal in 
speed, but less enduring. Their food consists of bar- 
ley and chopped straw, hay being unknow^n. The 
Persian horses were ver}^ celebrated long before the 
Arabian was known. They rarely exceed fourteen 
and a half hands high, are full of courage, and very 
tractable and docile. 

Turkistan has long been celebrated for producing a 
pure and valuable breed of horses, called Toorhomans. 
They are large, standing from fifteen to sixteen hands 
high ; are swdft and remarkably enduring. They are 
said to be preferable even to the pure Persian for 
severe service. They are too small in the barrel, too 
long in the legs, and their heads are large and clumsy ; 
yet they are highly esteemed. 

The Flemish and Dutch horses are very large, 
strongly and symmetically formed, with fine crests and 
plenty of bone and muscle, but are a little dull in their 
paces, and mostly used for purposes of draft. It is 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 15 

principally from tliese that the celebrated draft horses 
of England are descended. 

France contains several breeds of horses, some of 
which, particularly the Korman, are very valuable. 
The government have for some years paid a good deal 
of attention to the improvement of horses, but they 
are still inferior to the English in beauty and speed. 
The best French horses are raised in Limousin and 
Kormandy. Those from the latter province are of 
large size, with plenty of bone and muscle, large limbs, 
heavy quarters, sloping croup, deep chest and deep 
body, but a little flat-ribbed. They are very tractable, 
and possessed of very great endurance, and can carry 
great weight at the rate of six to seven miles per houi . 

Spain has long been celebrated for her breed of 
horses, but it is thought that they are less valuable 
now than formerly, having suffered under the general 
decline of the Spanish government. The Andalusian 
horse, so called from that province of Spain in which 
he was chiefly bred, still retains a resemblance to the 
Barb, to which he was undoubtedly indebted for his 
most valuable qualities. The Barb was brought into 
Spain during the first part of the eighth century. 
England owes much of the present excellence of her 
horse to this breed. About the year 1060, William 
of N'ormandy brought a large number of horses from 
Spain for cavalry service, and probably these were 
mostly from the provinces of Andalusia and Asturias, 
for, owing to the richness of the pastures, horses were 
much more numerous in these provinces than in any 
other parts of Spain. 

Italian horses were formerly thought very valuable, 



16 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

but are now less esteemed. The Neapolitan horses are 
tolerably well shaped, and from their size and high 
style of action are in some demand for carriage horses. 

The Turkish horses are principally descended from 
the Arab, crossed with the Persian, the Tartar, and some 
other breeds. Compared with the Arabian, the head is 
larger, the limbs heavier, the body longer, the shoulder 
not so fine, and the hips higher. They are, if possible, 
more gentle and tractable than the Arabian. The 
Turkish horse has contributed much to the blood of the 
present English race-horse. 

The G-erman horses are generally large, heavy, and 
slow. The Hungarian is, however, of medium size, 
and possessed of a good deal of speed and endurance. 

Many excellent cavalry horses are bred in Holstein. 
They are generall}?" bay, of good size, with small, fine 
heads, bold, lively ej'es, have good action, and are 
strong and active. 

The Swedish horses are between thirteen and four- 
teen hands high, and are remarkable for their speed 
and endurance. 

The horses of Finland are yet smaller, not exceeding 
twelve hands in height ; they are said to be beautiful, 
and very fleet. 

In Iceland, though the country is mountainous, and 
the climate cold and inhospitable, there are yet very 
numerous troops of wild horses. They are very small, 
strong, and swift. 

The horses of that part of Tartary comprehending 
the great plains of Central Asia, and a considerable part 
of European Russia, are almost in a wild state ,• they 
are small and badly made, but are very liardy and en- 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 17 

during. They are not very docile or tractable. Tar 
tar horses form a large portion of the Persian cavalry, 
being preferred on account of their great hardiness and 
endurance. 

All the horses we have enumerated, with the ex- 
ception of the German, Italian, French and Flemish, 
are peculiarly adapted to use under the saddle, carry- 
ing light weight ; and with few exceptions they are 
seldom put to any other service. 

The Eussians have some excellent horses. The 
most celebrated of their breeds is the Orloff Trotter, 
of large size and fine action. Great pains are taken in 
breaking and training them, to prevent their moving 
in any other gait than a walk or trot, consequently 
some of them are fast trotters. 

The English horse, on account of its just celebrity, 
and as the source from which the best of our own have 
been derived, demands a more careful notice. 

Horses were exceedingly numerous in Britain at 
the time of its conquest by Julius CaBsar, and they 
were so valuable, that Caesar carried many of them to 
E/Dme. The Eomans having established themselves in 
Britain, kept a large force of cavalry there, and these 
horses, gathered from all parts of the Eoman Empire, 
mixed with the native breed. Whether this cross re- 
sulted in any improvement cannot now be ascertained. 

The next importation of which we have any account 
was early in the tenth century. Hugh Capet, of 
France, made Athelstane a present of several German 
*' running horses.'''' About the middle of the eleventh 
century, with William the Conqueror came a marked 
improvement in the English horse. His followers, 



18 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

coming from a countrj far in advance of England in 
tlie science of agriculture, were of great service to tlie 
English in improving their horses, by introducing the 
Spanish horse. The first recorded importation of an 
Arabian horse took place in 1121 — Alexander I., of 
Scotland, having presented the church of St. Andre\Y 
with an Arabian horse, " decked in Turkish armor, and 
costly trinkets." About the close of the twelfth or be- 
ginning of the thirteenth century, King John imported 
one hundred stallions from Flanders, and thus laid the 
foundation of the draft horse, which has since become 
so celebrated. In the beginning of the fourteenth cen- 
tury, Edward II. imported thirty war horses, and 
twelve draft horses. Edward III. purchased fifty 
Spanish horses, which cost him about seven hundred 
dollars each. 

The English had used horses from Turkey and Bar- 
bary, to improve the native stock, but up to the time 
of James I. with but little success. 

About 1610, James purchased a celebrated Arabian 
horse of a merchant named Markham, for which he paid 
five hundred pounds. After this, James purchased of 
Mr. Place, a beautiful horse called the White Turk. 

Not long after this, the first Duke of Buckingham im- 
ported the Helmsly Turk. These two animals produced 
a great change in the character of the English horses. 
Charles I. eagerly pursued the favorite sport of the 
English gentleman, and established races at Hyde 
Park and Kewmarket. Cromwell was himself anxious 
to continue the improvement of the horse, and kept a 
stud of race-horses ; but racing was not countenanced 
by his party, and the race courses were closed. 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BEEEDS. 19 

At the Eestoration in 1660, a new impulse was given 
to the cultivation of the horse. Eace courses were 
opened, and royal plates were now given at the prin- 
cipal ones. Charles sent his Master of the Horse to 
the Levant, to purchase both mares and stallions. 
These were principally Barbs and Turks. His nobles 
followed his example, and from that time until the 
eighteenth century almost every valuable variety of 
Eastern blood was from time to time engrafted on the 
old stock. In 1703, Mr. Darley imported the Arabian 
that has since borne his name, being then four years 
old. About twenty-five years later, a Mr. Coke brought 
the Godolphin Arabian from France to England, and 
presented him to Mr. Williams, Master of St. James' 
Coffee House, vfho presented him to the Earl of Godol- 
phin. It is to these importations chiefly that is due 
the high degree of perfection which the English race- 
horse has attained. 

The English Hunter is not as distinct a breed of 
horses as has often been supposed. Every variety of 
blood has been resorted to, to produce the horse best 
suited to the work required of him, and he is noAV 
usually three-quarters thorough-bred. Mr. Skinner 
says the Hunter is but a combination of the race-horse 
or thorough-bred, with one of less blood. Formerly, 
hunters were bred from coach mares, or " Machiners" 
as they are called ; but now the hunter is lighter, and 
more nearly thorough-bred. Many of the hunters of 
fifty years ago were bred by crossing the Cleveland 
Bay with the race-horse ; and resembled the best Hack- 
neys of the present day. 

Of the Hackney, a standard English work says : " The 



20 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Hackney sliould be a hunter in miniature, with these 
exceptions : his height should rarely exceed fifteen 
hands and an inch. He will be sufficiently strong, 
and more pleasant for general work, below that stand- 
ard. He should be of more compact form than the 
Hunter — more bulk according to his height, for he has 
not merely to stand an occasional though severe burst, 
but a great deal of every-day work." 

The English coach horse was formerly bred from 
the Suffolk, and the Cleveland Bays (breeds now 
nearly extinct) by crossing the mares with horses pos- 
sessing more or less racing blood, and was, in fact, but 
a large, heavy Hunter or Hackney. 

The Cleveland Bays, the Clydesdale, the Northamp- 
tonshire, the Suffolk Punch, and the heavy Black, or 
Lincolnshire horse, • are but different varieties of the 
English draft horse, and are but little used for any 
other purpose. 

The coach horse, and the draft horse, have diminished 
very rapidly of late years, having given way to a lighter, 
and faster animal. 

The foregoing glance at the most important races of 
horses will, it is hoped, enable the reader to form a 
tolerably correct idea of the main sources from which 
our horses are derived. 

The wild horse is found in great numbers in Tartary, 
in some parts of South America, and a few in the 
south-western territories of the United States. In none 
of these can we recognize an original race. The horses 
of the Ukraine, and those of South America, are 
equally the descendants of those which have escaped the 
slavery of man. The former are thought to be de- 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 21 

Bcended from horses that were employed in the siege 
of Azoff, in 1657 ; but were turned loose for want of 
forage. The latter are descended from animals im- 

orted by the Spaniards, and they still retain, almost 
unimpaired, the size and form of the stock from which 
they sprung. They are not remarkable for their speed 
at short distances, but possess great endurance ; and 
many instances are recorded of the natives pushing 
them over one hundred miles without drawing rein. 

In our own country we have several breeds of horses. 

The Conestoga horse is found chiefly in the Middle 
States, but is not as often met with now, as formerly. 
He is descended from early importations from Flanders 
and Denmark ; he is inclined to be too long in the leg, 
too light in the barrel, and too dull in his paces. His 
quarters and shoulders are generally good ; and when 
his body is found sufficiently deep he makes an excel- 
lent draft horse; he is often over seventeen hands 
high. 

The English thorough-bred is found in perfection 
in many of the States, but is bred chiefly at the South. 
In most of the States, the great majority of the horses 
in ordinary use possess traces of racing blood. 

The Canadian horse is found chiefly in Canada, and 
is undoubtedly of Norman-French descent, and to this 
day they preserve, in a high degree, the distinguishing 
traits of the stock from which they sprung. There 
are many varieties, some having been crossed with the 
English thorough-bred. They have maintained the 
good qualities of their ancestors, but have less size, 
probably owing in a great measure to the rigor of the 
climate, and their scanty fare. They are exceedingly 



22 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

hardy, easily kept, are long-lived, and perfectly gentle 
and docile. Some of tliem are celebrated for speed at 
short distances, but as a breed tbey are not good road- 
sters. 

The Narragansett pacer, a breed long celebrated in 
Ehode Island, is said to have descended in part from a 
horse imported by Gov. Robinson from Andalusia in 
Spain. They were noted for their easy pace under 
the saddle, docility, and powers of endurance. They 
were small and not well adapted for draught. 

The Norman horse has not yet been extensively 
bred in this country, but a few fine animals have been 
imported. They are large, usually full sixteen hands 
high, compact and muscular ; and though not adapted 
to high speed with light weight — yet it is believed they 
are unrivalled in their powers of endurance, carry- 
ing a great weight at the rate of six or seven miles per 
hour. 

In addition to these varieties, there are in various 
parts of the country families claiming more or less 
alliance to the thorough-bred. Of these, the Messen- 
gers, the Hamiltonians, the Henrys, the Bellfounders, 
are perhaps the most noted, as they were generally 
well-formed, fine-moving, fast-going, and enduring 
horses. 

Hamiltonian or Hamlintonian was got by Diomed, 
sire of the celebrated Sir Archy. Diomed was by 
Florizel, he by King Herod, he by Tartar, and he by 
Croft's Partner, who was by Jig, a son of the Byerly 
Turk ; dam by Spectator, g. dam by Blank, gg. dam 
by Childers. Dam of Hamiltonian was by Shark, g. 
dam by Apollo. Hamiltonian was long owned by Col. 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 23 

Tayloe, of Yirginia, and run by him witli mucli success. 
He was bred by Mr. Thomas Hamlin, from whom he 
was named ; but of late the stock has been called 
Hamiltonian. He was chestnut, of good size, and was 
foaled in 1800. 

He had an excellent figure and good constitution, 
and he ran several successful four-mile races. His 
stock was excellent, but has been frequently confounded 
with that of Hambletonian, a son of imported Messen- 
ger. 

Hambletonian, by Messenger, was a fine horse, and 
left some very valuable stock that has been a good 
deal scattered throughout the States of ISTew York and 
western part of Vermont ; and we think much of the 
stock in these States called Hamiltonian or Hamlin- 
tonian should be Hambletonian. We have not at hand 
the necessary data to give his pedigree or any further 
description of him^ which we regret, as his descendants 
have been deservedly esteemed for their speed and 
power of endurance. Many of them are large, and 
make excellent carriage horses. 

The pedigree and some description of several other 
noted horses will be found at the close of the chapter 
on Pedigrees. 

The stock descended from Messenger, Hamiltonian, 
and some others, proved very valuable ; many of 
them were excellent roadsters, and some of them were 
fast trotters. Hence, it soon became policy for dealers 
to advertise their horses as descended from those whose 
stock was known to be good ; and at the stables of 
those dealers whose honesty is not of the adamantine 
kind, you can usually purchase a horse of any of the 



24 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

well-known families provided you give a reasonable 
hint of the stock you prefer. Hundreds of horses are 
sold every year as Morgans, Messengers, Hamiltonians, 
&;c., who have not a particle of the blood they are rep- 
resented to possess. 

Messenger was a gray, fifteen and three-quarters 
hands high, and stoutly built. He was got by Mam- 
brino, he by Engineer, and he by Sampson, dam by 
Turf, his grandam by Kegulus. He was foaled in 
1780, and bred by John Pratt, Esq., of Newmarket, 
England. He ran several successful races, and finally, 
in 1785, won the king's plate. He was imported into 
New York by Mr. Benger. The first two seasons after 
his arrival, he was kept at Shammany Bridge, near 
Bristol, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henry Astor then pur- 
chased him and kept him on Long Island for two years. 
About this time Mr. 0. W. Yan Kanst, Esq., pur- 
chased an interest in him, and for the remainder of his 
life he was kept in various parts of the State of New 
York, with the exception of one year at Cooper's 
Ferry, opposite Philadelphia. 

He died January 28, 1808. His stock were cele- 
brated as roadsters rather than racers, though he 
was sire of Miller's Damsel and some others of note. 
"Whether animals of either of these families can now 
be found possessing suf&cient resemblance to one an- 
other, and enough of the blood of the ancestor from 
whom they derive their name, to render it possible to 
establish a distinct and permanent variety, we are un- 
able to say, but think it doubtful. 

The observant traveller through the different States 
of the Union, who possesses any taste for a horse, can- 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BREEDS. 25 

not fail to mark tlie striking difference in the general 
character of the horses of different sections of the 
country. In the New England States he sees a com- 
pact, hardy stock of horses of medium size, with high 
carriage — good travellers, and extremely gentle and 
tractable driving horses. 

In almost every county he may find descendants of 
the Justin Morgan, and in some he will see that they 
comprise a large portion of the stock. Along the Can- 
ada border he will see many specimens of the French- 
Canadian horse, and in some j^arts of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut he will see descendants of the ISTorman, 
the Flemish^ and the Danish horse. 

Throughout New England he will see evidences of 
the blood of the English racer, and the Arabian ; Mes- 
senger, Dey of Algiers, Hamiltonian, Cock of the 
Eock, Henry, Po^t Bo}^, Sir Walter, Sir Charles, and 
many others, having mingled their blood with the com- 
mon stock of the country, but the pure thorough-bred 
he will not be apt to see. Passing through New York, 
we see a greater variety of horses. Within the State 
may be found individuals exhibiting the form and 
characteristics of every breed known in this country. 
As a general rule the driving horses (many of them 
very fine) are taller than those of New England, and 
less compact. The fiirm and draft horses are generally 
larger, but vary much in size from the Canadian pony 
to the English cart horse. The thorough-bred may 
occasionally be met with, though not so common nov\r 
as formerly ; but scattered throughout the State may 
be found the descendants of Messenger, Eclipse, Henry, 
Duroc, and other celebrated horses of that breed. In 
2 



26 THE MOEGAN HOKSE. 

the central and northern parts of the State may bo 
seen some of the descendants of the Justin Morgan, 
some of these horses having been taken there within 
the past few years. 

As we pass through Pennsylvania and Ohio, we 
observe a more striking change in the character of the 
horses. The fine driving horse is more rarely seen. 
The farm and draft horses are much larger, and some- 
times are really immense. They are descended from the 
Flemish and Danish horses, are usually fat, slow and 
awkward, are sometimes pretty well formed, but are 
inclined to be leggy and loosely built. 

In the eastern part of Pennsylvania and northern 
part of Ohio, many fair driving horses may be seen, 
but in the western part of Pennsylvania and southern 
part of Ohio, good buggy horses are not common — 
light wagons are not much used. Many good sad- 
dle horses may be found possessing more or less of the 
characteristics of the English thorough-bred, a good 
specimen -of which may occasionally be seen. 

As we go west and south we find the good buggy 
horse becoming more and more rare, and the number 
and quality of the saddle horses constantly increasing ; 
until arrived in Kentucky and Tennessee, the former is 
not often seen, while the latter are both numerous and 
excellent. 

Many of the draft and carriage horses used in Ken- 
tucky, are brought from Ohio and Indiana, and are 
taken from the same stock of those States, the coarsest 
being used for draft and the finest for the carriage. 

The horses in common use for farm and similar work, 
are decidedly inferior. This is, perhaps, in a great de« 



THE MOST ESTEEMED BKEEDS. 27 

gree, due to tlie flict tliat a large number of the best 
mares are constantly used for breeding mules, and tbat 
more attention is paid to raising tbe latter animals, 
wbicli bave become one of the great staples of Ken- 
tucky. 

ThrouQ^hout the remaininpi; Southern States the ani- 
mals used upon the farm and road are principally 
mules ; light wagons are but little used ; the white popu- 
lation is more thinly scattered ; and though most of the 
planters keep a family carriage, yet the ordinary busi- 
ness travel is principally upon horseback. Through- 
out the Southern States the English thorough-bred is 
found in high perfection, and many of the horses in 
common use partake largely of his blood. 

The horses of Indiana, Illinois and the other Western 
and Korth-Western States, closely resemble the horses 
of Ohio, and in fact, many of them were raised in that 
State, and taken farther west by persons emigrating to 
new lands. 

Although emigration has been going on for some 
time from 'New England to these States, yet until with- 
in the last few years the emigrants very rarely took 
any animals with them, the journey being too long to 
. be undertaken with teams ; but the emigration to that 
country from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, has 
very generally been made in wagons, the emigrants 
taking their horses with them. 

Within the last few years a few Morgan horses have 
been taken into that section, where they command 
high prices ; and as they become more and more known, 
so the demand for them is steadily increasing, and in 



28 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

passing thraugli the large towns tlie traveller will occa- 
sionally see a good specimen of the race. 

It is a fiict worthy of note that the English thorough- 
bred is found most numerous, and in the greatest per- 
fection, in those States where the saddle horse is most 
in demand, and where the light buggy has not yet 
come into very general use ; while in those States 
where the horse is little used under the saddle, but 
almost entirely in harness, he is not often met with. 



CHAPTEK II. 

CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE REQUIRED OP HORSES 
FORMERLY, AND AT THE PRESENT DAY. 

Up to the tentli century the Arabs alone seem to 
liave taken mucli pains in breeding tlieir horses, and 
the crosses of the different breeds in Europe were due 
more to chance than to any matured plan of improve- 
ment. The warlike sports of the joust and the tour- 
nament, which originated in France, reached their full 
perfection in that country during the tenth century, 
and by the close of the twelfth had extended over 
Europe. 

Success in these contests depended as much upon 
the power and activity of the horse, as upon the skill 
and strength of the rider. Every effort was made to 
procure the finest horses by those who engaged in 
these sports. At first the Spanish horse was almost 
exclusively used. 

The motley assemblage of people from every nation 
of Europe, to form the armies engaged in the crusades, 
brought together horses of every known variety. The 
Icnights of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were 
almost constantly engaged in a fierce struggle with the 
Saracens, or in the warlike sports of that age. The 
a,nnouncement of a "passage at arms" drew them 



80 THE MOEGAN HOKSE. 

together from tlie most distant points. The knights 
liad increased the weight of their armor until it alone 
Avas an ample load for the horse, consequently ani- 
mals of great size and strength were needed; and it 
soon became evident that neither the Andalusian, the 
Turkish, the Arabian, nor the English horse, was 
able to cope successfully in the crushing charge of the 
tournament with the much larger and stronger, though 
less spirited and active horses of Lombardy, Norman- 
dy, Flanders, and Denmark. It was this size and 
strength, combined with symmetry of form and good 
carriage, that caused these horses to be much sought 
after by the knights and nobles throughout Europe. 

It must not be forgotten in considering the services 
demanded of the horse in that age, that it is not prob- 
able he was used for field labor on the farm before 
the commmencement of the eleventh century, and we 
have no notice of his being put to such service until 
1066. Horses were at that time little used except 
under the saddle, for ordinary travelling, for cavalry 
carrying heavy armor, and for heavy draft. 

About the middle of the fourteenth century the use 
of gunpowder for military purposes, and the decline 
of chivalry with its accompanying martial sports and 
exercises, produced a great change in the horses used 
for cavalry, and by the nobles and gentry of Europe. 
Cavalry no longer derived its chief eflS.ciency from the 
size and strength of the horse, which was necessary to 
enable him to carry the two or three hundred pounds 
of armor that was sometimes put upon him. 

This armor, encasing both horse and rider, was 
almost impervious to any weapons that had before been 



CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 31 

used, but afforded little protection from musketry, and 
was of course utterly useless when exposed to artillery. 
The horses, large, clumsy and awkward, were incapa- 
ble of executing evolutions rapidly, or of going into 
action at anything but a moderate pace ; and they 
rapidly fell into disuse, their place being supplied by 
a much smaller and more active horse. 

For cavalry of the present day a horse of medium 
size is required. He carries no defensive armor. 
The principal purposes for which cavalry are now 
used are, keeping open communication between dif- 
ferent bodies of infantry, and patrolling the country. 
In battle, they are usually held in reserve to take ad- 
vantage of any momentary confusion in the ranks of the 
enem}^, and the success of an attack at such a moment 
depends in a great measure upon the promptness and 
celerity with which it is made. Finally, they are of great 
service in following up the success in case of victory, 
and in covering a retreat. For these kinds of service 
it will be readily seen that the horse most suitable 
must be of medium size, compact, muscular, hardy, 
courageous, and active. 

Since the use of gunpowder, the greatest changes 
that have taken place in the general character of the 
horse have occurred in England ; and for this reason, 
together with the fact that our American horses are 
principally descended from English stock, we shall 
glance chiefly at the changes that have taken place in 
the character of the English horse, and the service to 
which he has been put. 

At the commencement of the seventeenth centurj^, 
the great mass of the horses of England, with the ex- 



82 I'HE MORGAN HORSE. 

ception of tlie tliorougli-breds, miglit be divided into 
two classes, viz. : draft horses, and saddle horses. The 
former were used for transporting merchandise from 
place to place in heavy carts, to which were attached 
from one to six horses. As, up to that time, canals 
and railroads were unknown, an enormous number of 
these horses was required to move to the seaboard the 
exports of a coantrj rich as England was in agricul- 
tural productions and manufactured aiiicles; and to 
distribute throughout the country the imported arti- 
cles received in exchange. 

The great demand for these horses caused much at- 
tention to be paid to breeding them, and the best 
English cart horse has never been excelled for the 
kind of service to which he is so peculiarly adapted. 

The people of that age moved but little from home ; 
when they did, the journey was made on horseback, 
and for the saddle they had their hackneys, or hunters. 
It is somewhat difficult to distinguish very clearly be- 
tween the .hunter and hackney of that age, for both 
were usually possessed of more or less blood, and the 
best hackneys were good hunters. 

Carriages for any other purposes than the transport- 
ation of merchandise were comparatively unknown, 
and the heavy draft horse, being the only one broken 
to harness, was almost universally used for all farm or 
similar work. Coaches as a public means of convey- 
ance, were first used in France and England about 
1620 ; but they were long in coming into general use, 
and in 1637 only fifty hackney coaches were licensed 
in London. From this time the number rapidly in- 
creased, and in 1778 there were twenty-three thousand 



CONTKAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 83 

in England. These were all liackney, and not mail 
coaches. The first mail coach started from London 
for Bristol the 2d day of August, 1784. In forty 
years from that time the English mail-coaches travelled 
nearly thirteen thousand miles per day, and the num- 
ber of miles travelled daily by hackney coaches 
largely exceeded this. The opening of canals in 
France about two hundred, and in England about one 
hundred years since, caused a great decrease in the 
demand for heavy draft horses, and the attention of 
breeders was turned to horses for coaches, Avhich were 
then just coming into use. The introduction of steam 
power upon railways some twenty -five years since, soon 
superseded the use of coaches on all the great thorough- 
fares, and produced a vast change in the kind of service 
required of horses on the road. 

The roads relieved from the heavy coaches that be- 
ing drawn at a rapid rate kept them in bad condition, 
were much improved, and consequently much better 
fitted for the movement of light carriages at a high 
speed. Formerly the English mail was thought to 
travel at a rate that defied all competition, but to the 
traveller upon the railways, ten miles an hour seemed 
but a moderate pace, and horsemen, emulous of steam, 
made every effort to increase the speed of light car- 
riage horses. Horses differing from the old coach 
horse in size, the slope of the shoulders, and style oH 
action, grew rapidly in demand. But the English have 
not the same taste for pleasure driving that our coua 
trymen possess, and though they take a greal deal of 
exercise out of doors, it is generally on foot or in the 
saddle. 

2* 



B4: THE MORGAN HORSE. 

The clianges that have taken place in this country 
during the last fifty years, in the kinds of service re- 
quired of horses, have been more rapid and marked 
than in England. 

Fifty years ago almost the entire inland traffic was 
carried on by means of horses. Excepting in the vicin- 
ity of the large cities, the roads throughout the coun- 
try vfere wretched, and the best consisted of no other 
material than the natural soil, a little raised by ditching 
at the sides, and forming the road-bed with the mate- 
rial thus obtained. Even this was often neglected, 
and nothing was done but to cut down the forest, and 
record in the proper office the course of the road. 
When we consider that over such roads all the freight 
of the country was moved upon wagons, it v/ill not be 
a matter of surprise, that the rate of travel of the 
lightest carriages rarely exceeded four or five miles 
per hour. 

Contracts were made for carrying the mail at this 
rate, and often in the thinly-settled parts of the coun- 
try at even a lower speed. The wagons loaded with 
merchandise, and the heavy mail coaches, kept the 
roads in a condition that entirely forbade any attempt 
at rapid driving with any description of carriage. 
The farmers, as they were often compelled to haul 
their ptoduce long distances to find a market, required 
a horse heavier than vv'as necessary or profitable for 
23erforming only their farm work, although the farm 
work of that day was far more severe for both the farmer 
and his horse, than it is now. Transporting the mails, 
hauling freight, and ordinary field labor, were then 
the principal services demanded of the horse. But 



coNTKAST betwee:n the kinds of service. 85 

iio\v tlie lumbering freight wagon witli its long teana 
of slow, lieavy horses, is rarely seen. The mail coach 
with all its comforts and annoyances, will be known 
to the coming generation only from histoi}^. The farm- 
er, instead of being compelled to transport his farm 
products to the largest towns or cities, now finds a ready 
market almost at his door, for, guided by science, steam 
with its giant power has scaled our mountains, and 
drives the locomotive cheerily through almost every 
valley of our country, relieving the worn draft horse 
of his load, the panting, steaming coach horse of his 
mails and passengers, and bringing the dealer in produce 
into almost every hamlet. Science also has greatly les- 
sened the labor of tilling the soil, has substituted the 
light, beautifully-shaped, and easy-running iron plow, 
for the heavy, clumsy, and hard-running wooden one 
of our ancestors.. Every description of agricultural im- 
plement has been remodelled and improved, until they 
bear little resemblance to the rude instruments used 
by our fathers. These improvements in all kinds of 
agricultural tools, wagons, plows, harrows, <fcc., have 
very much lightened the labors of the horse. In ad- 
dition to this, the forests having been felled, the fields 
cleared of the timber and stumps, and the soil being 
in a higher and easier condition for cultivation, the 
farmers have discovered that active, hardy horses of 
medium size, are much more profitable than the large, 
slow, and clumsy animals so generally in use fifty years 
ago. The former can certainly accomplish more ordi- 
nary farm work than the latter. They will plow as 
much in all cases except perhaps turning a stiff clay 



36 THE MORCAX IIORJ^E. 

sod ; they will harrow more, and reap more ; they are 
much easier kept, and are less liable to accidents. 

When used upon the road, they are almost invari- 
ably better travellers ; and if selected with judgment 
from good stock, they are fleet and tractable. 

It is probably in a great measure owing to the im- 
provement in our farms, and forming tools, that horses 
are now much more generally used for farm work than 
they formerly were. When the country was new, and 
the fields cumbered with huge stumps, whose tough 
roots spread like a net- work through every part of the 
soil, the ox was most generally used for plowing, for his 
very dulness is in such ground an advantage, as at the 
most moderate pace, and with the utmost care, ordinary 
plows and harnesses will frequently be broken, when 
the plow comes in contact with the stumps or roots. 
The substitution of the improved cultivator for the 
hoe, the reaper for the cradle, and the threshing-m.a- 
chine for the flail, has rendered the horse almost indis- 
pensable to -the farmer in the prosecution of his calling ; 
so that whatever may be the difference of opinion as 
to the relative cost of keeping, amount of labor per- 
formed, &c., horses are now almost miiversally pre- 
ferred to oxen for a farm team. 

The English race-horse or thorough-bred is less 
?.ffected than any other class of horses, by great 
changes in the modes of public conveyances, the im- 
provements of roads and carriages, or the introduction 
of improved implements upon the farm. Although 
most of the English horses, with the exception of the 
draft horse, have a greater or less infusion of blood, 



CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 37 

yet tlie thoroagli-bred is put to no ordinary labor, but 
is bred for one specific purpose, which is to win on 
the race-course the stakes that are offered. The nature 
of the qualities he should possess must depend on the 
distance run, and the weight carried. For while the 
long, leggy, light-chested horse, may be able to take a 
prodigious stfide, and with plenty of bone and muscle 
he may carry a heavy weight a short distance at a 
flight of sj)eed ; yet he can never make four miles and 
repeat with the same weight, unless he possesses a deep 
roomy chest to give him wind, a more compact frame, 
and a shorter leg, that he may be able to keep up 
his speed without fatiguing the muscles. A century 
ago there were six, and even eight-mile races at New- 
market, with old horses, the ordinary races being at 
four miles and repeat — now the " heavy plates " are 
all offered to two and three-year-olds for short, single 
races, of from one to two miles. That this is an im- 
provement on the score of humanity may be true ; 
but does it not tend to depreciate the horse for those 
qualities that render him useful in ordinary business, 
by inducing the breeder to seek for and foster those 
qualities that give speed to the horse, and to neglect 
those which are indispensable to give him endurance? 
This would seem at a glance to bo the inevitable ten • 
dency of such a change in the length of the race, 
and the age of the horses. But we must not stop to 
discuss this question, nor inquire into the causes 
which produced this gTeat change in the character of 
English racing, however interesting such an inquiry 
might prove to ourselves or the reader. It will be 
sufficient for our present purpose to inquire whether 



88 THE MORGiiiT nORSE. 

there has been any change in the character of the 
thorough-bred, and if so, whether it has been for bet- 
ter, or worse. This Litter inquiry is of the utmost im- 
portance to the breeder, for in England, and in our own 
country, many breeders have been accustomed to be- 
lieve that direct resort to the thorough-bred was indis- 
pensable to the production of a fine horse, acting from 
f;[dth in the old adage that ''blood will tell," without 
stopping to inquire if that blood is still the same, 
much less what is the true and proper meaning of the 
expression. 

That a marked change has taken place in the char- 
acter of the thorough-bred, and that the change has 
been a deterioration in compactness, and power of en- 
durance, seems hardly to admit of a doubt. 

A writer in the "American Turf Eegister and 
Sporting Magazine," Yol. IX., p. 9, (a paper devoted to 
the interest of thorough-bred stock,) tells us, that "his 
size, or perhaps his height, has been much increased, 
without any diminution of his blood-like appearance, 
but he has lost that full, round carcase and compact 
form, which belonged to the horses of the olden time — 
and if as they now believe they have increased the 
speed, stride, and capacity to carry weight for short 
single-heat races, they have not increased their powers 
of endurance, or enabled them to run long repeating 
races at short intervals." 

Thomas Emory of Maryland, certainly a most criti- 
cal and competent judge of all the points requisite to 
the perfect race-horse, in a letter to the same paper, 
Yol. IX., p. 126, says : " The result of my examination 
was disappointment in my expectations of Enghsh 



CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 39 

race-liorses. There are here and there a few specimens 
- of the race-horse of the very highest order, but the 
proportion of the trash to the good, is greatly beyond 
what I expected, and it is wonderful with what per- 
tinacity some of the breeders stick to their trash. * * 
* * * They breed for speed and ability to carry high 
weights at an early age for short distances ; and many 
of them acknowledge their error, and admit they may 
ere long have to come to our country for hard-bot- 
tomed horses. -5^ * * * At Doncaster, I saw sold 
the produce of several of the large breeding studs in 
the contiguous counties; a few of them were good 
colts, many of them leggy, weedy animals, and more 
than half of them were so badly splented at one and 
two years old, as to destroy their value. 

" This splenting at this age unbroke I could not ac- 
count for, and could find no one who could, but there 
it seemed a matter of course and nobody seemed sur- 
prised at it. It was new to me." 

In an essay on the improvement of horses published 
in the '' Farmer's Magazine " (London) for 1845, the 
writer says the qualities required in the business horse 
" are speed and endurance, with the capability of car- 
rying heavy weight, with varied pace, through deep 
ground across a broken country ; and in order that 
they should possess these capabilities they should have 
v/hat are commonly termed in hunter's phraseology 
bone, muscle, and compactness. * ^- * 

" It would appear that our blood stock formerly pos- 
sessed these characteristics in an jeminent degree ; and 
by reference to former sporting publications, it will be 
seen that they were shorter in the leg, and capable of 



40 THE MORGAN HOKSE. 

carrying heavy weights, and running long distances 
now they run with light weights and short distances, 
where bottom is not so necessary. Our fleetest racers 
were then what are now called small horses, which 
means that they were not the tall, lengthy, leggy 
racers of the present day, but compact, muscular, and 
remarkable for their capabilities of carrying heavy 
weight, and power of endurance." 

Mr. Lawrence, in his " Treatise on the Horse," Vol. 
I., page 105, says, in speaking of those thorough-breds 
that fail to be winners : "As to the refuse of our studs 
of race-horses, it consists usually of a parcel of half- 
gotten, delicate, weak, spider-legged creatures, which 
it is a misery to see applied to any labor whatever." 

Similar extracts might be multiplied indefinitely, 
but the foregoing seem amply sufiicient to establish the 
fact, that the thorough-bred, or race-horse, is less com- 
pact, hardy, and enduring than formerly. It is such 
evidence that must establish what are the qualities of 
a breed of horses, and individual instances of animals 
of the breed-exhibiting qualities widely different from 
those described as characteristic of their kind, whether 
better or worse, are only to be regarded as exceptions 
to a general law. 

The English hunter has undergone a change equally 
marked, and similar to the race-horse. The field sports 
now indulged in by the gentry of England, differ ma- 
terially from those of their ancestors. The chase of the 
present day is a short, but spirited and exciting raco 
of a few hours. 

It is now a common custom for the huntsmen to 
have an extra horse ridden by a light jockey, who, 



CONTRAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 41 

keeping far enougli in the rear to avoid the circuitous 
course of the hounds by watching their turnings, and 
by riding at only a moderate pace, is thus at frequent 
intervals at hand to give his master a fresh horse, in 
exchange for his blown and exhausted one. Thus 
fresh-mounted, the chase is continued at a dashing pace, 
and the already heated and panting fox is soon run 
over, and the day's sport is ended at an early hour. 
The noble sport of hunting was a far different amuse- 
ment with the English gentleman of the seventeenth 
century, and taxed to the utmost the poAver of endur- 
ance both of man and horse. The earliest light of 
morning found them gathered in the field, and the 
shadows of evening often put an end to the chase. If 
the pace was less rapid, and the sport less exciting, the 
former was much longer continued, and the latter was 
certainly more noble and manly. From this change 
in the character of the field sports, it can easily be un- 
derstood why the horse who brought his rider "in at 
the death of the stag," at the close of a hard day's 
run over broken hills, marshy valleys, and through 
tangled forests, should differ materially from one 
equally successful in the short, but furious chase of 
the present day. 

The hunter of the olden time was remarkable for his 
stoutness and endurance, was rarely more than half, 
and often not more than a quarter, thorough-bred ; he 
was short in the leg and back, with deep flanks, and 
muscular hips and loins ; his stride was short, compared 
with tlie hunter of the present day, but he was sure 
footed, and his step was elastic, nervous, and untiring. 
The hunter of the present day is rarely less than three- 



42 THE MORGAN HORSE 

quarters tliorougli-bred, is taller, longer, less compact, 
and sinewy, and takes a much, longer stride. 

Th^e thorough-bred having, as we have shown, be- 
come taller, longer, and less compact and enduring 
than formerly, and the hunter having now more of 
tliis blood than formerly, it is plain that he must have 
altered still more in these respeccts. 

A writer in "Bell's Life in London," in 1845, says: 
" It is not near so easy now as it used to be, to buy a 
good, strong, young hunter." William Goodwin, Yete- 
rinar}^ Surgeon to the Queen, in an article published 
in the " London Veterinarian," for February, 1847, says : 
" It is an admitted fact by all those conversant with the 
horse market in England, that good horses were never 
known to be so scarce as they now are ''"' * '^ * 
it being but too true that the superior riding horse or 
valuable hunter has become almost a rara avis as 
compared with former days." 

The increase of blood seems not only to have injured 
the hunter, but also the carriage and road horse. Pro- 
fessor Gibson, of Philadelphia, an admirer and critical 
judge of the horse, thus speaks of English horses. 
After saying that it is not uncommon to meet with 
English dealers at the Irish fairs, buying horses for 
the English markets, he continues: "The English 
horse, indeed, within the last twenty years has degen- 
erated so much, in some respects, as not to serve the 
many useful purposes to which he was accustomed at 
that period, owing to breeders having run too much 
upon blood. On this accotmt it is now hardly possible 
to meet with any of the old stock of hunters so large 
and powerful, and with so much bone and sinew. * * * 



CONTEAST BETWEEN THE KINDS OF SERVICE. 43 

Even tlie carriage horses, indeed, tlirongliout every part 
of England, are conspicuous for their long, low necks, 
slab sides, and spindle shanks, and are very inferior as 
a race to our own stock for the same purposes." 

We have not a class of horses in this country corre- 
sponding to the English hunter, but we have the Eng- 
lish thorough-bred ; and as we have from time to time 
imported breeding animals from England, a similar 
change has taken place in our thorough-bred horses. 
This change may not have been so great with us, as 
the causes which we believe to have produced that 
change are here less active. N"o one who has paid any 
attention to the subject can have failed to notice that 
for the last twenty years racing has steadily declined 
in this country. We do not intend to assert that less 
speed is attained now than in the days of Henry and 
Eclipse, but that far less interest is now taken in these 
contests, especially in the Northern and Middle States. 
The trotter has been steadily supplanting the racer 
upon the road and turf. 

This change, instead of being matter of surprise, 
seems to ns the natural result of the substitution of the 
light buggy for the saddle. For the latter service the 
thorough-bred is eminently adapted ; for the former, 
he is not so well fitted. 



CHAPTER III. 

DESCKIPTION OF THE KIND OF HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOE IN THB 
PRINCIPAL MARKETS OF THE COUNTRY. 

The uses to which, the horses sold in the principal 
markets of our country are put, are hauling omnibuses, 
hacks, driving in light carriages, and trucking, or 
moving freight from place to place, in the large towns 
or cities. Some horses are still used under the saddle, 
but the number thus employed in the Northern States 
is comparatively very small, and in New England a 
person is rarely seen on horseback. 

At the South, horseback riding is still a common 
mode of travelling, but light buggies are rapidly com- 
ing into use, and will undoubtedly soon afford the 
favorite means of conveyance, on account of the many 
conveniences they offer — ^the comparative protection 
from the weather, the facility for carrying light pack- 
ages and ordinary personal baggage, added to the fact 
that with a light carriage upon good roads, a single 
horse easily performs the work of two under the sad- 
dle. 

Though it is undoubtedly true, yet we cannot but 
regret, that our countrymen at the North are losing all 
taste for the manly and healthful exercise of horseback 
riding. 

All writers upon the subject of the proper mode of 

(44) 




GREEN M O U N T A T N 




K O M E (). 



HOESES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 45 

li-ving, urge upon us,' in the strongest language, the im- 
portance of this exercise, as one most conducive to 
health, and there are certainly few exercises more 
graceful or exciting. The healthful excitement pro- 
duced by this exercise, in a bracing atmosphere, must 
have been felt by the writer of the following beautiful 
lines, or he would have been unable to describe its 
effects so graphically and beautifully. It was first pub- 
lished in 1832, over the signature of "Idler," in the 
"American Turf Eegister and Sporting Magazine," 
Vol. in., page 512 : 

MY HOKSE. 

" With a glancing eye and curving mane, 
He neighs and champs on the bridle-rein, 
One spring, and his saddled back I press. 
And ours is a common happiness ! 
'Tis the rapture of motion — a hurrying cloud 
"When the loosened winds are breathing loud ; — 
A shaft from the painted Indian's bow, — 
A bird — in the pride of speed we go. 

" Dark thoughts that haunt me, where are ye now, 
"While the cleft air gratefully cools my brow. 
And the dizzy earth seems reeling by, 
And naught is at rest but the arching sky, 
And the tramp of my steed, so swift and strong, 
Is dearer than fame and sweeter than song ? 

^- There is life in the breeze as we hasten on ,• 
With each bound some care of earth has gone, 
And the languid pulse begins to play, 
And the night of my soul is turned to day. 
A richer verdure the earth o'erspreads, 
Sparkles the streamlet more bright in the meads ; 
And its voice, to the flowers that bend above, 
Is soft as the whisper of early love. 



46 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

With fragrance spring-flowers hare burdened the .hJ*, 
And the blue-bird and robin are twittering clear. 

" Lovely tokens of gladness, I marked ye not 
When last I roamed o'er this self same spot. 
Ah ! then the deep shadows of Sorrow's mien 
Fell like a blight on the happy scene, 
And Nature, with all her love and grace. 
In the depths of the spirit could find no place. 

" So the vexed breast of the mountain lake, 
When wind and rain mad revelry make, 
Turbid and gloomy and wildly tossed, 
Ketains no trace of the beauty lost : 
But when through the moist air, bright and warm, 
The sun looks down with his golden charm, 
And clouds have fled, and the wind is lull. 
Oh ! then the changed lake, how beautiful ! 

" The glistening trees in their shady ranks. 
And the ewe, with her lamb along its banks, 
And the king-fisher, perched on the withered bough, 
And the pure blue heaven all pictured below ! 

" Bound proudly, my steed ; nor bound proudly in vain, 
Sinc« thy master is now himself again. 
And thine be the praise, when the leech's power 
Is idle, to conquer the darkened hour — 
By the might of thy sounding hoof, to win 
Beauty without and and a joy within ; 
Beauty, else to my eyes unseen. 
And joy, that then had a stranger been." 

The demand for saddle horses is so small, that verj 
lew breeders make any effort to raise animals suited to 
this service, and even if the demand were much greater, 
it would hardly prove profitable ; for it is difficult, by 
the most skilful breeding, to produce horses that will 



HOESES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 47 

have the natural paces that are usually deemed iudis- 
peusable to a good saddle horse. It is a slow and la- 
borious process to teach a horse to move in a gait 
altogether unnatural to him, and, however well he may 
be trained, he cannot move easily in it. 

The horses best adapted to, and most sought, for om- 
nibus and hack use, are of medium size, weighing from 
ten to eleven hundred pounds. Very man}^ of them 
weigh less than ten hundred pounds. For hacks they do 
very well at nine hundred and fifty pounds, but for 
omnibus service, ten hundred is about the minimum 
size with buyers when the market is well supplied. As 
omnibuses are usually heavily loaded, and drawn at a 
moderate rate, it might at first seem advisable to use 
horses of much larger size. It would, perhaps, be more 
economical if the carriages were drawn over common 
earth roads ; but the road is usually a hard, uneven 
pavement, and the heavy horse soon breaks up his 
feet, injures his knees, and becomes unfit for use. 
Large horses have not, as a general thing, as good feet 
as smaller ones, and the omnibus horse, however good 
his feet and knees, is very apt to injure them. To us, 
it is a matter of astonishment that they withstand as 
well as they do, the constant pounding upon the flinty 
pavements. For this reason, the well-formed horse, 
weighing from ten to eleven hundred pounds, is pre- 
ferred to a larger animal for omnibus- work. The same 
objection applies, only with greater force, to the large 
horse for the hack ; for in the latter carriage, the load 
is less and the speed greater. 

The horse best suited to hack service, is well adapt- 
ed to a vast many kinds of business. He must be 



is _J THE MORGAN HORSE. 

liardj and enduring, a good, free driver, with high, car- 
riage, and easy action; in short, he must be a good 
roadster. He must also be " kind at a pull," for he will 
occasionally be put to one ; he must be quiet and fear- 
less, for he will be frequently required to stand by the 
roadside hours at a time, and he will be driven where 
there are ten thousand things to frighten and annoy 
him. With all these good qualities, his owner will find 
him dull of sale if his feet and limbs are not super- 
latively good, for to no animal are they as indispensa- 
ble as to the city hack or livery horse. He is con- 
stantly driven rapidly over roads harder than iron. 
Often after being heated by fast driving, he will be left 
to cool with his feet standing in cold water, or with a 
stiff northwester blowing on him, and unless his feet 
and constitution are both perfectly sound, he will be 
soon used up. 

The omnibus or coach horse may be straightcr in the 
shoulder, and heavier in the forehand, than would be 
at all pleasant in the buggy horse, without detracting 
from his usefulness ; but most coach and omnibus own- 
ers prefer a horse of high carriage, good action, and fine 
style ; and it is very certain that such horses always 
sell readily for such service, even if doctors do not all 
agree that their form is the very best for their work. 

For truck horses there is usually a fair demand. 
For this service, a heavy horse is best adapted, and 
perhaps the heavier he is the better, provided he is 
compact, well proportioned, with good limbs and feet. 
For this kind of service speed is not required, and the 
most important requisites are a good constitution, 
good figure, a quiet temper, and a moderately-quick 
walk. 



HOUSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 49 

Fine, large, well-matclied liorses, such as are used by 
men of fortune in the cities before their showy car- 
riages, are always in deniand, and command high 
prices ; but the number of horses in use for this service 
is comparatively small, and their labor being very light, 
they live to a good age, and do not require to be often 
replaced, as is the case with horses put to more severe 
service. 

Horses that maybe called "Sporting Horses," arc 
still less numerous, and always command high prices. 
In all the Northern cities, by the term sporting horse 
is generally understood a fast-trotting horse ; but at 
the South, by the same term is generally understood a 
race-horse. It is extremely difficult to say just what 
rate of speed entitles a trotting horse to the distinction 
of " sporting horse," and if it could be stated to a sec- 
ond, it would be ,of no importance, for the standard 
must be constantly changing, so long as the speed of 
our road horses goes on increasing ; for it is n.ot the 
power to go a given distance, within a given time, that 
gives a horse this distinction, but the power to " do it" 
relatively quick, or quicker than the majority of the 
horses he meets on the turf 

A few years since, a horse that could trot his mile 
inside of three minutes, could fairly lay claim to this 
distinction ; but now persons will rarely take the 
trouble to record his time if he cannot do it several 
seconds within that. "We think it safe to say, that no 
horse can lay claim to the title of a sporting horse that 
cannot make his single mile in three minutes, and 
unless he can do much better than that he will not be 
called "fast." The true sporting horse is valuable 
3 



50 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

mainly on account of liis speed ; and symmetiy of form 
and elegance of style are but little considered provided 
lie can " make time." 

In all the cities and large towns there is a great 
demand for horses similar to those used in omnibuses, 
hacks, and livery stables : namely, for express wagons, 
butchers' carts, milk carts, bakers' carts, &c., &c., and 
the horse that is test adapted to any one of these uses 
will be vrell suited to all the rest. A horse suited to 
these kinds of service, should possess an iron constitu- 
tion, for he will be put to the severest kind of labor, 
and without this, all other good points will be of little 
service to him, for he will soon break down. His feet 
and limbs must be unexceptionable, for he will be 
driven rapidly over flinty roads, with little regard to 
the ascent or descent of the ground, and if they are 
not superlatively good, corns, sand-crack, thrush, 
founder, broken knees, &c., one or all of them, will be 
sure to result. 

Horses suitable for driving in light carriages are 
in great demand, and in our agricultural fairs are 
classed as " Roadsters." Pleasure-driving has become 
a national amusement, and one for which a growing 
passion is to be noticed among all classes of our citi- 
zens. 

This may undoubtedly be partly attributed to th? 
easy circumstances of our tradesmen and mechanics, 
enabling most of them to indulge in sports and amuse- 
ments involving but a moderate expense, such foi 
instance as the keeping of a bird-dog and gun, for a 
few days recreation in the summer, and in the luxury 
of a fine driving horse, with which they give their 



HOBSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 51 

wives and children an occasional airing. The im- 
portance of this peculiarly American amusement can 
hardly be over-estimated ; it affords a mode of recrea- 
tion both for the mind and body, of the most pleasant 
and useful kind. The physician recommends it to the 
invalid and hypochondriac, and the lovers of nature and 
the moralist seek it as their favorite mode of amuse- 
ment. It performs the two-fold of&ce of strengthening 
the body, and invigorating the mind. 

Who has not felt the glow of pleasant excitement, 
and the new impulse given the blood in his veins, by 
a short drive of a few miles, after a good horse ? Walk- 
ing is by no means a substitute for it — the fact of the 
rapid motion, and the multiplicity of objects met and 
passed, constantly calling our attention to objects, only 
to be left again for others, each suggesting thoughts so 
fugitive and electrical, gives a relief to the wearied 
faculties which nothing else can give. 

In the increase of the population of our country, 
there is of course a corresponding increase in the num- 
ber of mechanics and professional men, whose business 
is all carried on within the walls of their offices and 
shops. To these, who form a large share of our popu- 
lation, this mode of exercise is most pleasant and 
healthy. The mechanic and merchant, after the labors 
of their callings, do not want recreation that will make 
new draughts upon their physical energies, but that 
which will give them rest at the same time that it 
gives them entertainment — invigorating them as well 
as affording relief from fatigue. 

Doctors seem well agreed that any exercise taken 



52 THE MOKGAN HOKSE. 

for one's healtli, to be in the liighest degree beneficial, 
must be entertaining. 

Riding always has an interest Avithin itself — the ex- 
citement of the rapid motion, the spirit and beauty of 
the horse, the persons we meet, the hills, the streams, 
the trees, all give a life and ecstasy to the exercise, that 
cheers and vivifies even the invalid. We had it at 
our pen's end to make a few remarks on the import- 
ance of this exercise for ladies, but for several cogent 
reasons have determined to postpone them to a more 
convenient season. First, because we are distrustful of 
our ability to throvv^ any more light upon this veteran 
subject. Second, we fear we shoald be trespassing 
upon ground that belongs by right of possession to the 
orthodox lecturers upon the subject of phvsical culture ; 
and thirdl}'', we firmly believe that the announcement 
of such an intention would cause four-fifths of our 
readers to skip the rest of this chapter, which we intend 
shall yet contain some important matter. 

In addition to the amusement that our citizens derive 
from their fine horses, and liglit buggies, most of them 
make theii- horses useful in a variety of ways. Tlie 
merchant of moderate means often keeps him con- 
stantly employed in delivering packages of goods to 
his customers, moving his wares from the railroad 
depot to his store, and often driving him into the coun- 
try collecting his accounts, and visiting his customers. 
Mechanics find him useful in a variety of ways. In 
the prosecution of their trades, many of them are often 
called to practice their art at places distant from their 
shops, and but for their horse the time that would be 



H0KSE3 MOST SOUGHT FOR. 53 

necessarily occupied in going and returning on foot, 
would, in many instances, prevent their attending such 
orders, or they would do so at little profit. The me- 
chanic, too, has a great variety of materials to move 
to his shop, and from his shop to his customers, and 
very many similar services, or chores, that his driv- 
ing horse can do, not only Avithout injury, but with 
very decided benefit. To any housekeeper, how 
many small sums that would otherwise be paid for 
omnibus-fare, to truckmen, expressmen and porters, 
may be saved by keeping a good driving horse. 
We do not wish it to be inferred that, considered 
only as a matter of economy, we think it would be 
profitable for every family to keep a horse, for the 
sole purpose of performing these small services; we 
wish merely to show how any family can indulge 
in the luxury of keeping a good horse, at a far less 
actual expense than might at first seem necessary. 

To the butcher and the baker, a good horse is indis- 
pensable to the transaction of their daily business ; and 
though it would seem that the butcher's horse might, 
without detracting from his usefulness, be a little 
straighter in the shoulder, a little duller in his paces, 
and a little heavier in the forehand, than would be 
desirable in the light driving horse, yet the butcher 
thinks very differently ; in fact, there seems to be a 
perfect passion among this class of tradesmen for a 
high-headed, smooth-stepping, and fast-going horse; 
indeed, so great is the emulation between them, that 
they will often incur great expense to obtain a "crack 
goer." It is a common saying, that " a butcher always 
drives a trotter," and many a fast young man, just 



y 



54 THE MORGAN IIOKSE. 

commencing Ms explorations in tlie direction of Por- 
ter's, Brighton, or tlie country beyond the head of 
Third Avenue, wlio has pulled out his nag with the 
utmost confidence to pass a lumbering butcher's wagon, 
has discovered to his mortification that they were not 
the safest kind of cattle to "challenge for a brush." 

We think the horse well adapted to the wants of the 
merchant and mechanic, may be fairly considered a 
good type of the "horse of all work," or business 
horse. 

Before proceeding to describe what we consider 
should be the distinguishing characteristics of such 
animals, let us fully understand what is meant by the 
term "horse of all work," since it has come into very 
general use, and is frequently used by Agricultural 
Societies in this country to denote a class of horses. 
By this term we understand that kind of horse which is 
best adapted to general use—to work on a farm, to go 
to mill, or to meeting, to haul a coach, or a buggy, to 
work in the field, or go a journey. This is certainly 
the natural meaning, and we should not have thought 
any explanation necessary, had it not sometimes been 
understood to mean such a horse as is best fitted for 
each of these different kinds of service. 

To describe fully and correctly, all the qualities that 
should be found in the horse of all work, or business 
horse, requires that we should enter somewhat into 
details, for he must come up to a given standard in a 
greater variety of points than the horse for any other 
service. It is true, that many of his good qualities 
should be found in all really valuable horses, whatever 
be the service to which they are put. To illustrate our 



HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 65 

« 

meaning : the good business liorse mnst be a fine 
roadster ; but a fine roadster may not necessarily be a 
good business horse, for he may lack that docility of 
temper, that quietness, and perfect tractability,which the 
latter should invariably possess. 

First of all, the business horse should be compact. 
Youatt defines compactness to be: "as much goodness 
and strength as possible in a little space." Without 
this he cannot have endurance and hardiness of consti- 
tution. Next to compactness of form, he should have 
good limbs — a little larger than the hunter's, but the 
increased size should be in bone and muscle, and not 
in meat or hair. The limbs should be short, and the 
fore and hind-legs should have a proper adaptation to 
one another; that is, he should not have short fore-legs 
and long hind-legs, nor should he have short hind-legs 
and long fore-legs, as there should be little difference in 
the height of the hips and the withers, though the 
withers should be the highest. Horses that are highest 
on the hips labor much in ascending hills, though 
on level or descending ground they may have greater 
speed, but they are very liable to stumble, and are 
usually low-headed and heavy in hand. The fore-legs, 
upon which mainly depends the safety and ease of the 
animal's movements, should be well spread at the chest, 
to give ample room for the full development and action 
of the vital organs. Measured at the chest, they should 
be a little wider from outside to outside than at the pas- 
terns; but this difference should be owing to the promi- 
nence of the muscle of the fore-arm, more than to the 
general inclination of the legs inward, or towards each 
other This general inclination of the fore-legs towards 



56 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

eacla other, must be slight and barely noticeable, as nmch 
deviation from the perpendicular is a serious defect. 
The legs must be straight, bending neither outward nor 
inward at the knee, for all horses with such limbs have 
imperfect action, are inclined to cut (or interfere), and 
travel either upon the inside or outside of the foot. The 
fore-arm should be long, and view^ed from the side, 
should be ¥,^ide at the top, tapering gradually to the 
knee, witli the muscle swelling out plump and full, par- 
ticularly in front. The knees should be wdde and flat, 
free from flesh, clean and compact, with the hinder-bone 
prominent. The knees being less liable to injury than 
the hocks, too little attention is generally paid to their 
form, and provided they are not " sprung," the purchaser 
is generally satisfied. The cannon (or the bone between 
the knee and the fetlock,) should be short and free from 
meat ; tlie back sinew^s should be large and flinty, and 
shoidd stand well out from the bone. Viewed from the 
front, the legs should be thin ; viewed from the side, they 
should be wide and sinewy. The contrary formation, or 
"tied in back sinews," is a very serious defect, and it is 
almost impossible that horses wdth this conformation 
should be capable of great endurance. The fetlock 
sliould not be round, but rather wade, and thicker in 
front than behind. The pasterns sliould be short, not 
upright nor very sloping, for if upright, the joints will 
be liable to injury from the concussion attending every 
step ; and if, on the other hand, long and sloping, it 
denotes weakness. 

Mr. Hinds, in his w^ork on Farriery, says: " Horses 
having long and sloping pasterns soon tire, and I may 
say are generally weak, having the flexor tendon or 



HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 57 

back sinews considerably relaxed." It is impossible to 
describe exactly what should be the length and slope 
of the pasterns. In horses intended for very fast Avork 
the pastern should be moderately long and sloping, as 
it gives more elasticity to the step and ability to take a 
long stride. Large horses should have more sloping 
pasterns than smaller ones, as their greater weight 
will add to the concussion in travelling. The hoof 
should be nearly round, open at the heel, smooth and 
hard, but not brittle, without any bunches or depres- 
sions in front, or at the quarters ; should be straight in 
front from, the hair to the toe, and not be too high 
behind. 

The shoulders should be long and oblique, thin 
and flat at the withers, the point pretty low and well 
forward. They can hardly be too oblique for the 
road horse, and are not objectionable except when the 
horse is wanted for heavy and constant draught. The 
hips should be long, wide and muscular, the croup a 
little sloping, the quarters full, wide at the stifle, the 
stifle-joint well forward, and the muscles of the thigh 
should continue plump and full, well down to the hock. 
The hock should be wide, short, free from all lumps, 
the muscles connected with it clearly defined, and the 
point should be long. Below the hock, the hind-legs 
should resemble the fore-legs; they should descend 
perpendicularly, and the hocks should not be nearer 
together tlian the fetlocks ; it is less objectionable to 
have the fetlocks nearer together than the hocks, but 
the nearer they approach the perpendicular the better. 

With such formed shoulders as we have described, 
the neck will almost invariably be well-placed, and the 
8* 



58 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

head carried liigli. The neck should be of moderate 
length, tapering well towards the head, slightly crown- 
ing on top, and very slightly curved underneath. On 
such shaped necks, the head is almost invariably well 
placed, with the muzzle neither too high, nor too low, 
not too much projected forward, nor too much drawn 
in towards the chest. When the neck is very short, 
the horse is apt to be heavy in hand, and want sensi- 
tiveness to the rein ; it also gives the animal an awkward 
and uncouth appearance. The head should be small, 
lean, and tapering rapidly from the jowls to the muzzle: 
the jowls should be thin, but muscular, and the jaws 
well apart. The profile should be straight, neither 
"hollow-faced" or "Eoman nosed" — both are unsightly, 
and the Koman nosed horse rarely has a good nostril ; 
the forehead should be long and broad, the muzzle 
thin, the lips small and firm, and the nostril full and 
prominent, showing a bright red membrane on the 
inside. But the eye and ear are the most important 
features of the head, and it is from these chiefly that 
we form our opinion of the horse's temper and disposi- 
tion. The eyes should be placed wide apart, should 
be full, large, and prominent, Avith an expression which 
it is almost impossible to describe, for it is susceptible 
of almost as many different shades as the eye of man. 
It should be roving, bold, and eager, but mild and 
pleasant ; the lids should be well open when at rest, for 
horses who keep the lids partly closed will generally be 
found dull in their paces, and sullen in their tempers. 
The ears should be small, clean, free from many long 
hairs on the inside, be thin and upright, and have a 
fine taper from the root to the tip, which should be 



HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 59 

pointed and turned a little inward. It is not a serious 
objection that they are a little large, provided they are 
upright, fine and lively. They should set well apart 
but not very wide, for when close together they indi- 
cate a timid and skittish disposition, and when very 
wide, they arc generally thought to indicate a sluggish 
and stubborn temper; besides this objection, when very 
wide apart, they set so much on the side of the head 
that they appear unsightly, being inclined to lean out 
and become "lop-eared." The back should be short 
and nearly straight, the withers high and thin ; the body 
should be deep at the shoulder, the barrel round, the 
ribs starting from the back-bone in a direction nearly 
horizontal, forming what is called a broad back ; the 
back and hips should be well joined or coupled ; there 
should be no depression just forward of the hip-bones, 
but it should keep up plump and full ; the loins should 
be wide and muscular, and the hindermost rib should 
come out near to the hip-bone, such horses being called 
" well-ribbed up." The flanks should be deep and full. 
The mane should be pretty long and thick, but not so 
long and thick as to appear heavy. The tail should 
be full, heavy, and carried well up. He should be be- 
tween fourteen and a half, and fifteen and a half hands 
high — rather a little under than much above this height, 
and should weigh about ten hundred and fifty pounds ; 
his hair should be short, soft and glossy. 

Such an animal, w^e should ex'peci^ would prove him- 
self a fine roadster ; but we might be disappointed, for 
though we think it cannot be successfully denied, that 
such a form as we have described would be well adapted 



60 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

for easy motion, and endurance on the road ; 3^et lie 
might not, after iill^ have the requisite courage and 
nervous energy ; }ie might take up his feet too high 
and put them down with a sort of thrust, which requires 
a great and useless expenditure of muscular exertion, 
besides wearying the whole system by the constant and 
unnecessary jar ; or he might have some other awkward- 
ness of gait that would prove a serious objection. Nor 
can Yv^e always judge correctly of a horse's courage and 
spirit from the closest examination, without a trial of 
his powers. 

An English writer, in speaking of this matter, says: 
" Equally true is it, that after we have approved of the 
proportions of a pair of horses, in respect to bone and 
build, certain powers of lastingness are frequently dis- 
covered to be possessed by one so much bej'oud his 
mate, that we are compelled to admit these powers do 
reside in something else than his build." So true, 
indeed, is it that the power of endurance — the courage 
that never flinches while a breath can be drawn — cannot 
alwaj^s be discovered except by actual trial, that some 
of those horses which have performed the most aston- 
ishing feats on record, Avere passed for years by the best 
horsemen as animals possessed of no extraordinary 
powers. The great Eclipse, whose Yery name is used 
as synonymous with greatest speed and endurance, was 
cast by the Duke of Cumberland, when a colt, on ac- 
count of his apparent deformity, and was sold by him 
for forty-five guineas. In addition to his apparent 
deformity, he was a thick- winded horse, or in other 
words, a " roarer." Yet in four-mile races he distanced, 



HORSES MOST SOUGHT FOR. 61 

witli the greatest ease, ttie finest horses upon the English 
turf. Our description, therefore, would be incomplete, 
without describing his gait and temper. 

In harness, when the reins are taken up, and he is 
told to go (he should not start before), he should raise 
his head a little above its position when at rest, keep it 
there steadily and quietly, and move ofp nimbly, with 
a light, but steady, and yielding pressure upon the bit. 
His feet should be raised only enough to clear the ordi- 
nary inequalities of the ground, carried well for^vard 
in straight lines, swinging neither out nor in, and ])e 
set down evenly, so that the entire sole comes upon the 
ground at the same time. If the heel is set down first, 
it is liable to injury from tlie tenderness of the parts; 
and if the toe is set down first, the horse will almost 
always ])rove a stumbler. The fore-legs should bend 
well at the knee, instead of the legs being raised prin- 
cipally by the movement of the shoulder-joint, and the 
leg carried stiffly forward, causing an unsteadiness of 
motion and a sort of rollinsf from side to side. The 

o 

hind-legs should take up light and quick, be carried 
well forward under the body, and should have a pecu- 
liar, nervous, springy "pick-up," but without any 
hitching, or twitching of the muscles of the haunches. 
The step should not be long, and yet it may be too 
short; observation can alone determine when this is 
right. This much is certain, that when there is an ap- 
parent effort to reach the full length of his step, it is too 
long ; and when there is any cutting off of the natural 
stride, as is the case with the foundered horse, it is too 
short. 

Of color, we shall only say, that he should have some 



62 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

dark coior, for this is so entirely a. matter of taste that 
any remarks we might offer would, after all, be little 
more than an assertion of our own preference, and we 
have sometimes been inclined to adopt the creed of a 
thorough horseman of our acquaintance, which is, that 
"a good horse is always of a good color." 

Such a horse as we have" attempted to describe, we 
feel the greatest confidence in asserting, will prove ad- 
mirably adapted to all ordinary kinds of service. When 
used upon the road, he moves off easily, quietly, and 
freely, without the least disposition to fret, at a lively 
pace, on a pleasant rein ; but when roused a trifle by 
an increased pull upon the bit, and an urging word, his 
head raises higher, his eye dilates, and he is at once a 
full hand for the best horseman ; the taller, more open 
built, and longer horse, with a long, reaching stride, 
may easily dash by him at the first start in the morning, 
but if their course is the same, and the journey be con- 
tinued for a day or a week, he will have ample oppor- 
tunity to renew the acquaintance. Such horses will be 
hardy, rarely affected with any complaint, easily kept 
in good condition, will be always ready for use, and 
easily taught to perform almost any kind of service, 
with ease to themselves, and pleasure to their, owners. 



CHAPTER lY. 

PECULIAR ADAPTATION OF THE MOKGAN HOKSE TO THE ROAD AND 

GENERAL USE. 

In the foregoing chapter we have endeavored to de- 
scribe what we considered should be the form and char- 
acteristics of the business horse, or horse of all work. 
Assuming that the reader is satisfied with the general 
soundness of the views there expressed, we now proceed 
to compare the Morgan horse with the standard of ex- 
cellence we have there set up. First, as to compactness of 
form : This we have considered a primary and indispens- 
able requisite in the business horse, and in this respect 
the Morgan particularly excels ; his body is not remarlc- 
ahly long, but round and deep at the chest, the quarters 
large and full, the shoulders and hips well shaped, the 
loins wide and muscular, the flanks deep, and the whole 
form swelling with muscle and life. 

There is not a single feature of his frame but gives 
unmistakable evidence of his vigorous health, and iron 
constitution ; and though he has been, and is still, prin- 
cipally bred in the States of Vermont and Kew Hamp- 
shire — States that are notoriously hilly and mountain- 
ous, and where consequently every description of work 
to which he is put is more than ordinarily laborious — 
yet he is remarkably long-lived, and in his age retains 
his spirit and vigor. 

(63) 



64 THE MORGAN IIOKSE. 

Still another evidence of the soundness of liis con- 
stitution is found in liis almost universal freedom from 
every species of disease. Before railroads had taken the 
place of the stages, a great many of these horses could 
be found in various parts of Kew England that had 
been running for several years before a mail-coach, yet 
were perfectly sound, in vigorous health, and still as 
free in spirit as when first broken to harness. "We 
have seen them running daily in the stage in fine con- 
dition when twenty j^-ears old, making daily trips of 
sixteen miles each in two hours, over a broken and 
mountainous country. 

A single instance will illustrate both their endurance 
and style of going. A few years since, late in the 
month of September, in company with several gentle- 
men, we made a trip to the White Mountains. Having 
made the customary examinations in the orthodox way, 
we arrived late one evening at the Franconia " Notch 
House." Here we learned that the stage would leave 
for St. Johnsbury the following morning on its last 
trip of the season. 

This being the route we projDOsed to take, we en- 
gaged our seats, and the following morning about 9 
o'clock, six good-sized individuals (besides the driver), 
with our baggage, were stowed away in a snug, rugged 
looking stage-wagon, to which was attached a pair of 
horses of medium size. 

The near horse was of a deep chestnut color, abou^ 
fourteen and a half hands high, very closely and com 
pactly made, with clean, small head, and exceedingly 
small ears, set pretty wide apart, but very lively and 
active. The other animal was a gray mare of about 



ADAPTATION TO THE EOAD, ETC. 65 

the same weiglit, but at lea-^t half a hand higher. She 
had a fine long hip, and a good hind leg, her shoulders 
were well shaped, better at the with rs than the horse, 
and she was on the whole a very fair animal, although 
her general muscular development was decidedly in- 
ferior to that of her mate. 

A7e all objected to starting with so small a team 
over the hilly country we knew Ave had to cross ; but 
these remonstrances availing nothing, my companion 
and I, w^ho occupied the front seat, fell to discussing 
the chances of getting on with our " infant team," as 
he called it, and from this to discussing the relative 
merits of our nags. The mare was restive, eager and 
impatient, and my friend declared wdth great confi- 
dence that all horse-flesh of her dimensions could do, 
she would. 

My OAvn fancy had been taken by the full, brilliant, 
but pleasant eyes, that stood out large and full, the 
ever-restless ears, and the strong muscular loins and 
quarters of the chestnut. Accordingly I proposed to 
" back the horse," much to the amusement of most of 
the party. Our driver, after several " false starts" from 
the bar-room, finally took up the reins and "gave 
them the word." 

The mare dashed ahead as if she w^ould pull the 
driver from his seat. The horse struck out with a 
short, nervous step, but did not seem much inclined to 
pull, or move at any but a moderate pace. The m^are 
took us along over the first half mile almost entirely 
])y the bit, and my comxpanions had a hearty laugh at 
my chestnut horse. 

A half hour passed, and with it some five miles of 



6Q THE MORGAN HOESE. 

our road. By tliis time ^' bets were not so freely 
offered on tlie mare ;" she had fallen off in her pace, 
prespired freely, moved unsteadily, and every few 
moments gave her head a toss that plainly told she 
Vf as beginning to lose her relish for the work. The day 
was hot. The horse had worked more freely as he 
grew warm, but not a muscle moved — save those of 
his ears — which was not indispensably necessary to 
give him motion. Thus we kept on for about twelve 
or fourteen miles to the end of the first stage, the mare 
fully satisfied, and panting with heat and exertion. 
Here we were to have a fresh team, but one of them 
being very lame from a sprain, the driver put in only 
one, and drove the chestnut through to St. Johnsbury. 

This seemed pretty hard, but the horse did not appear 
to mind it in the least, and up the long hill as we 
entered St. Johnsbury he pressed on at the same short, 
nervous trot he had kept almost the entire way. As 
we stepped out at the hotel we all took a good look at 
him. His general appearance was that of a horse 
about ten years old, but what was our surprise when 

upon speaking of him to my friend Dr. S , we 

learned that he was one of Sherman's sons, eighteen 
years old, and had been running constantly nearly 
eleven years in a stage team. 

The limbs of the Morgans are large in proportion 
to the size of the animal, but they are free from meat, 
remarkably v/ide, flat, and sinewy, with the back sinews 
standing well out from the bone. The joints are very 
close, the pasterns short, the feet rather small, but 
almost invariably excellent. A good many of them 
have considerable long hair about the legs, and this 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 67 

we do not like, as it detracts from tlie beauty of tlie 
animal, and retains tlie moisture about tbe limbs longer 
after the animal lias been exposed to the wet. True, 
if carefully groomed, they will not be left wet, but it 
is a melancholy fact that grooms are not always thus 
careful. Where the limbs are otherwise unexception- 
able, we do not consider this a very serious objection, 
especially in horses whose legs are short, the vital 
energy great, and the circulation consequently good. 

The shoulders are large and muscular, the blade slop- 
ing w^ell back, the point low and well formed, and the 
breast broad, giving a deep, wide, roomy chest. The 
hips are long, deep, and wide, the loins are broad and 
full, the thighs plump and sinewy, the muscle extend- 
ed large and hard well down to the hock. The neck 
is rarely very long, and sometimes hardly as long as we 
should like to see it, though many excellent judges dis- 
agree with us in this respect, claiming that the neck 
being barely long enough to make the animal pleasant in 
hand, not another ounce should be added, because it is 
only an unnecessary weight that must be carried, with- 
out contributing anything towards the power of motion. 

To a certain extent this is undoubtedly true, but we 
place so high an estimate upon a good and sensitive 
mouth, that we should prefer to have the neck a trifle 
too long, rather than have the animal heavy in hand. 
Still it must be admitted that heaviness in hand is a 
very rare fault with this class of horses. 

However horsemen may differ as to the perfection 
or imperfection of the neck, there can be no sort of 
question as to the head, which can be found as fine and 
beautiful in no other breed of horses except the 



68 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

thoroiigli-bred or Arabian. Some difference of opinion 
exists among horsemen as to tlie size of the head, but 
we think it is now the generally received opinion that 
the head should be small, and all agree that it should 
be lean below the jowls. The first injunction given 
to the purchasers of horses for the French cavalry, is to 
" see if he has a smiall head," while Mr. Hinds com- 
mences, the" Englishman's long-accepted description of 
a good horse, and nothing else," thus: "His head 
ought to be lean, of good size, and long." 

The Morgan has a small, lean head, broad between 
the eyes, which are prominent, bold, lively and pleasant, 
full of spirit and courage, yet mild, giving evidence 
of a temper at once spirited and tractable. The ears 
are small and well shaped, set rather wide apart, but 
are delicate and lively. 

The back is short and broad, the hips well coupled, 
the loins wide, and displaying on each side masses of 
firm, unyielding muscle, which will satisfy the horse- 
man of his ability to carry weight and endure fatigue. 
Just behind the withers the back is often a little de- 
pressed, and individuals are occasionally met with, in 
which the depression is suflicient to warrant their being 
called hollow or sway-backed. This must, by no means 
be considered a characteristic, many families being 
entirely free from it, and where it is found it is usually 
very slight. 

Where the back is very hollow we think it decidedly 
objectionable ; but for many purposes we think a slight 
inclination to sway-back may be no disadvantage, espe- 
cially where the loins are good. Youatt evidently 
considers it a far less serious objection than a tendency 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 69 

to the opposite formation or " roacli-back." Tliis in- 
clination to liollow back, where it occurs, is so slight, 
and is so far from being a characteristic of the family, 
that it would hardly be deserving of notice were it not 
for the fact that it has been sometimes magnified into 
a universal, and of course, hereditary defect. 

The origin of this mistaken notion may be easily 
discovered. These horses have been bred in a portion 
of the country that, until within the last few years, 
was little visited by travellers, and they were little 
known to horsemen abroad, except by reports of per- 
sons who had visited the country, and seen the ances- 
tors of the family. All the early stallions of the breed 
lived to a great age, and it was not until their youth 
was passed, and a numerous j^rogeny had borne testi- 
mony to their excellence, that they became objects of 
interest to visitors from abroad. These horses, no 
doubt, exhibited at an advanced age an appearance of 
"hollow-back," and due allowance was not often made 
for the advanced age of the animal ; for although well 
known to most breeders, it is a fact not equally patent 
to a large proportion of those who have a good eye 
and taste for a fine horse, that old stallions are almost 
always defective in this respect. The loins and back 
of the horse, as of the dog, are the first points to show 
signs of failing in his old age. Another objection that 
may in some instances be properly urged against indi- 
vidual members of this breed, has, by interested per- 
sons, been magnified into a cliaracteristic trait, and that 
is that they are too low on the withers. Tliis is so far 
from being the fact that the ojDposite is the usual for- 
mation in this breed, and the great rise of the withers 



70 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

and crest, is certainly one of tlie striking points of tlie 
liorse at first glance, but the withers- are not always as 
thin as we should like. High, thin, fine shaped with- 
ers, is one of the rarest excellencies in the horse, and 
no breed or family can justly lay claim to anything 
like universal excellence in this particular. The rea- 
son for this may perhaps be found in the fact, that less 
attention is paid by breeders to this point, as it is far 
less important than many others. Though excellence 
in this point undoubtedly assists to give the horse easy 
and safe action, yet the race-horse is very often defec- 
tive in this respect. Eclipse was remarkable for his 
extremely low shoulders, and many other horses distin- 
guished for their performances on the turf, have exhib- 
ited the same defect. The mane and tail of Morgan 
horses are sometimes heavy, and often curly, but in 
most cases they are only moderately so. The general 
color of these horses has been much mistaken by those 
who are but slightly acquainted with them. It has 
often been supposed, and is by many believed to this 
day, that all genuine Morgans are bay, with black legs, 
manes, and tails. So far is this from being true, that it 
is extremely doubtfal if bay be the prevailing color, 
chestnut being, we believe, quite as often met with. 

Bay, chestnut, brown and black, are almost the only 
colors, the latter being quite uncommon, and with few 
exceptions, confined to the Black Hawk flxmily. Gray 
or buckskin is very rarely seen, and is a pretty sure 
indication that what Morgan blood the animal has, has 
been derived through only one branch of the parent 
stock. 

The average height of Morgan horses may be stated 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 71 

at from fourteen, to fifteen and a half hands. There are 
a few that will fall below fourteen hands, but the num- 
ber is very small, and there are also some that will ex- 
ceed fifteen and a half hands, but it is by no means com- 
mon, and in such cases it will generally be found, that 
the animal has bat a small amount of Morgan blood. 
Their weight may be stated to range from nine hun- 
dred, to eleven hundred ^jounds, the usual weight 
being about one thousand ; any great deviation from 
this weight should induce the suspicion of a large in- 
fusion of other blood, although exceptions may, and 
doubtless do occur, in the case of animals that can show 
a good pedigree ; still they must be considered as the 
exceptions to the rule, and not the rule itself. The hair 
of the Morgan is almost invariably fine and soft, though 
in some instances a little long. In the fineness and 
softness of their coats, they resemble the thorough-bred, 
though it is generally thicker. 

In describing the temper, and style of action of these 
horses, we can say but little more than that they come 
fully up to our standard in this respect, with this ex- 
ception, that they may sometimes have more fire and 
impetuosity, than we think is desirable in the " business 
horse," but such generally make very superior road- 
sters under proper management and good driving. 

These horses having now been scattered a good deal 
in the ISTorthern and AYestern States, fair specimens of 
the race may generally be seen at any of the State ag- 
ricultural fairs, and the truth of our remains can be 
verified so far as they relate to form, and style of mov- 
ing. Much may also be determined on seeing them, 
as to their temper, and " lastingness;" but as it requires 



72 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

more than a sliort examination to determine conclu- 
Bively an animal's temper, courage and endurance, and 
as there are many who will have no opportunity ot 
seeing specimens of the breed, we will not leave the 
truth of our remarks to depend upon our own " dic- 
tum," but will introduce some evidence in support of 
our positions, consisting of extracts from writers whose 
authority upon this subject cannot be called in ques- 
tion. This is rendered the more necessary from the 
account of "Morgan Horses," published in a late edi- 
tion of Youatt, to which is prefixed an account of the 
breeds of horses in the United States, by II. S. Ean- 
dall. With this account there is published a very fair 
likeness of "General Gifford," as a representative of 
the race. The figure of the General Gifford, we admit, 
is a fair representative of the race, though equalled, if 
not excelled, by many others. As what the compiler 
says is very short, we extract it in full : 

" Of this celebrated American variety or family of 
horses, the writer of this possesses little knowledge de- 
rived from personal experience. That they have obtain- 
ed much celebrity as light buggy and saddle horses, — 
attracted much notice and admiration at the New York 
State Fairs from their remarkably spirited action and 
evident docility, — sold for high prices, not only for the 
saddle and buggy, but as stallions to extend the breed, — 
is certain. They have many warm admirers, and find 
ready purchasers. Others, on the contrary, are dis- 
posed to concede to them no uncommon value as a 
family, as will be seen by some quotations which we 
shall presently make." Then follows a letter from 
Burlington, Vt., relative to the origin of the Morgan 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 73 

horse, without a single word as to his value, or good 
qualities, the sole object of the writer being to give an 
account of his origin. The compiler then gives an ex- 
tract from the Keport of the Committee of the Wew York 
State Agricultural Fair, held at Auburn in 1846, in 
which they say of the two stallions there exhibited, one 
being the Greneral Gifford, and the other bis sire, the 
Gifford Morgan : " Their action attracted the marked 
admiration of all. This breed are reported to possess 
great bottom and hardiness, and everything about the 
two presented, goes to prove that their reputation in 
this particular is well founded." Then follows a letter 
which the compiler says is from " a distinguished judge 
of horses in Vermont." In view of the extraordinary 
character of this letter, we extract it entire : 

" The original Morgan ought not to be pronounced a 
thorough-bred horse, not having been bred from a full 
blood mare. Yet it is evident that the rich, high blood 
from which be sprung, though slightly diluted, is the 
cause of the reputation to wbich. bis stock has attained. 
But when we trace down his stock, we find in the very 
first generation an admixture of cold, worthless blood, 
to the full measure of one half. The result usual in 
such, cases is found here. Many of the colts related 
more or less nearly to the old horse, exhibit the char- 
acteristics of the Morgan /or/Ti, but lack compactness, 
not of general form, hut of muscle^ and they lack bottom. 
The general characteristics of the Morgan family are, 
small size, weio-hingj from seven hundred to one thou- 
sand pounds ; a long, but strong back ; plumpness of 
general contour, like a Berkshire pig ; short, hairy 
legs; a hmsque air, a bustling gait, with more pucker 
4 



74 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

and gatlier, tlian freedom and elasticity of step ; long, 
coarse hair ; lieavy mane and tail, and a surprising dis- 
position to accumulate fat instead of muscle, and a re- 
markably docile and tractable temper. As a general 
thing, the ' Morgans ' have not length of stride enough 
to be good roadsters. They take too many steps in a 
mile. It is but very rarely one can be found that 
proves to be a good all-day horse. It often occurs that 
one can be driven ten miles Avithin the hour, and per- 
haps at the same rate for the second hour, without ap- 
parent distress or inj ury. But for a high rate of speed, 
throughout the day^ search must bo made among other 
families than the 'Morgan.' There is a place for 
them, however. They are good for an hour's drive for 
short stages. They are good to run about town with. 
They are good in the light pleasure- wagon — prompt, 
lively (not spirited), and ' trappy.' There is no ques- 
tion among those who have had fair opportunities of 
comparing the ' Morgans ' with horses of purer blood, 
and descended from different stocks, in regard to the 
relative position of the ' Morgan.' lie is. as he exists 
at the present day, inferior in size, speed and bottom — 
in fact in all those qualities necessary to the perform- 
ance of ' great deeds ' on the road or the farm, to the 
descendants of Messenger, Duroc, imp. Magnum Bonum^ 
and many other horses of deserved celebrity. Tho 
Gifford Morgan embodies the characteristics of the 
Morgan form, or did embody them, better and in more 
prominent and pleasant relief than any horse I am 
acquainted with, of this family. ■^■" * * *'^" 

We are at some loss to determine exactly the motives 
of the writer of this letter, in admitting that the origi- 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. T.". 

nal Morgan horse was nearly thorongli-bred. He 
either thought it impossible to deny it, or, having 
adopted the theory that no horse can possess any really 
valuable qualities for farm or road service unless close- 
ly allied to the English race-horse, it was indispensably 
necessary to admit him to have been nearly thorough- 
bred, in order to sustain his theory ; for he felt that it 
was folly to attempt to deny that his immediate de* 
scendants were possessed of many excellent qualities. 

Having assumed that the good qualities of the Mor- 
gan all came from the racing blood he supposes he had 
in his veins, he is obliged to depreciate his descendants, 
as the racing blood disappears in his stock. He says : 
" When we trace down his stock, we find in the very 
next generation an admixture of cold, worthless blood, to 
the full measure of one-half'' According to this writer, 
all blood is cold and worthless, except it comes from 
the English thorough-bred, and he is evidently one of 
that small class of horsemen who adulate "high blood," 
and rejoice in the faith that the English race-horse has 
reached the acme of perfection for every variety of ser- 
vice — that he is the Alpha and Omega of all excellence 
in the entire genus, and who implicitly believe that he 
is bound to over-run the earth, as the waters do the 
sea, to the utter and complete extinction of all the other 
members of the horse family — ^from the Lincolnshire 
draft-horse to the Shetland pony. 

But let us come a little nearer to the subject, and 
give this letter some further attention ; for having been 
admitted by the compiler into Youatt, a standard Eng- 
lish work, it derives from its connection a credit and 
authority, that would not otherwise attach to it. The 



76 THE MOKGAN HOKSE. 

writer says: "Many of the colts, related more or less 
nearly to the old liorse, exhibit the characteristics of 
the ' Morgan' forrn^ but lack compactness — not of gene* 
ral form, hut of muscle — and they lack bottom." It is 
very satisfactory to know from so intelligent and disin- 
terested a horseman, that the Morgan horse still preserves 
the characteristics of the Morgan form, and that, though 
lie lacks compactness, it is not of form, but of muscle. 

According to this writer, on the outside all is still 
right with this breed of horses. No fault is found with 
the size, or shape of the muscles ; but they have an in- 
visible defect — " they lack compactness of muscle." 
"We think the great and striking muscular development 
of the Morgan horse, giving him such unrivalled ease 
and vigor of motion, may be safely trusted to live down 
this invisible defect of this invisible writer. But, he 
says, " they lack bottom." 

Not a word of proof is offered, and the assertion leads 
one to think that the writer is neither a horseman nor 
9, Yermonter, and that he has only borrowed the name 
of our little State, to have a good place to write from 
about Morgan horses. 

The unrivalled endurance of the Morgan is so uni- 
versally admitted, not only in Yermont, but through- 
out New England, that it is desirable in charity to 
conclude, that Mr. Eandall's "distinguished judge of 
horses" was not much acquainted with the animals he 
was attempting to describe. 

Again, he says their weight is from seven hundred 
to one thousand pounds. 

This is evidently an under-estimate, and leads any- 
one well acquainted with the breed, to doubt the fairness 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 77 

and candor of the writer. The fair average weight of 
the Morgan horse, as now, and for a long time bred in 
Vermont, we think will prove to be, as we have already 
stated it, from nine hundred to eleven hundred pounds. 
Many breeders will think this estimate too low ; but 
we intend to go under rather than over the weight. A 
few will weigh less than nine hundred, and some will 
weigh more than eleven hundred pounds. Let anv 
one look at the list of Morgan horses exhibited at the 
last United States Agricultural Fair ; the weights of a 
large number of them are given, and it appears that 
their medium size cannot be less than from nine hun- 
dred to ten hundred and fifty pounds. 

The next assertion of this writer is much more re- 
markable ; he says of the Morgans, they have " a long 
hut strong hachy One cannot but fear that, before 
writing this, this '; distinguished judge of horses in 
Yermont" had been looking through some deceptive 
glasses. One of the marked and striking characteris- 
tics of Morgan horses ?s, and always has been, the short- 
ness of their backs. 

Let any horseman look at the plates in this volume, 
or at any of the numerous cuts published in various 
forms, and see how near this writer has come to a fair 
description of these horses. Again, he says : 'As a 
general thing, the ' Morgans' have not length of stride 
enough to be good roadsters. They take too many 
steps in a mile." Now, it is because they take more 
steps in a mile than the long-strided horse, that the 
Morgans so easily leave them behind before night-fall. 
It will take a long time for this writer, or any other, to 



78 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

convince tlie horsemen of Yermont that a long-stepping 
animal is the thing for an "all-day horse." 

But, as the " distinguished judge of horses in Ver- 
mont" maj not think much of New England opinions, 
we refer to Youatt, who, in speaking of the compara- 
tive advantages of a long or short-strided horse under 
the most trying circumstances, namely, in going over 
soft ground and over hills, says: "The compact, short- 
strided horse will almost skim the surface, while the 
■feet of the longer-reached animal will sink deep, and 
he will wear himself out in his efforts to disengage 
himself * * * Every horseman knows how much 
more enduring is a short-bodied horse in climbing 
hills, though, perhaps, not quite so much in descending 
them." At the present day, a long strided horse can 
hardly be sold for a driving horse, in the Boston or 
New York markets. Short steps come from short legs, 
and short legs are indispensable to the greatest endu- 
rance. 

Let us compare for a moment this assertion, that 
*'they have not length of stride enough to be good 
roadsters," with what he says in the second sentence 
following. Here he admits that they can often be 
driven twenty miles in two hours, without apparent 
distress or injury. Where is there a horseman but 
must at once admit, that the horse which can be driven 
twenty miles in two hours, without distress or injury, 
has abundance of stride for endurance throughout the 
day I and it is evident that, for a short distance, he 
must have far greater speed — for no horse can be 
driven at the top of his speed for two hours without 
distress. 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 79 

We tliink tlie.sim|)le fact that a liorse can make his 
twenty miles in two hours without distress, will, bj 
most horsemen, be deemed the strongest possible evi- 
dence (save actual trial) of his ability to perform more 
than an ordinary day's journey. 

The compiler, at the close of this long attack on 
Morgan horses, from a concealed enemy, says of it: 
" The above is not^ as already stated, the popular esti- 
mate of this family. Having stated both sides of the 
question, we leave it to the judgment of the public." 
AVhat does the compiler mean by " having given both 
sides" ? The only thing the compiler gives favorable 
to the Mor2:an is from a New York Committee, who 
vrere evidently strangers to the breed, and whose opin- 
ion was based on the two specimens before them. 
The Morgans w^ere among strangers, where they and 
their owners w^ere unknown. They were judged by a 
New York Committee, and New York had then but 
little interest in the Morgan breed of horses, and they 
were, of course, surrounded by friends and acquaint- 
ances interested in other breeds. But they were too 
accomplished horsemen to overlook the extraordinary 
characteristics of the Morgans, and too frank and manly 
not to speak out fully and boldly their opinions. 

What they have said is the verdict of a Nevvr York 
jury. Aside from that verdict, the compiler has ad- 
mitted nothing in favor of the Morgan horse ; and this 
is what he calls " giving both sides." 

The reputation of this breed of horses is not the re- 
sult of a temporary excitement, got up by interested 
parties to assist their sale, but it is the result of a long 
and convincing trial of their powers. The attention 



80 THE MORGAN HOESE, 

of horsemen was drawn to them long ago, and their 
reputation has gone on increasing steadily from that 
day to the present. 

The following extracts are from a letter written by 
a gentleman of Philadelphia to the American Tnrf 
Eegister and Sporting Magazine, in 1831. 

"* * * It may not be generally known that the 
first trotting matches in this country took place in New 
England ; and twenty years ago, every stranger who 
travelled the road from Boston to Portland, a distance 
then of one hundred and twenty miles, must have 
been surprised to see horses, not quite fifteen hands 
high, drawing heavy carriages, with nine passengers, 
at the rate of eight and ten miles an hour, accomplish- 
ing the journey with ease in one day. - * " - From 
what is knov/n of the speed and strength of this horse, 
and his properties, so v/ell adapted for the road as well 
as the turf, it has always seemed unaccountable to me 
why farmers and breeders generally do not introduce 
the trotting horse instead of the high-mettled racer, of 
whose usefulness scarcely one word can be said. I am, 
however, far from underrating the thorough-bred horse : 
the sports of the turf are always interesting to me ; but 
I now address practical men, and I ask, if they would 
not benefit themselves and the community more by 
raising the trotter instead of the racer ? 

" The one is useful as a Avork-horse on the farm or on 
the road ; generally kind and gentle in harness, and 
often active enough for the saddle. AVhilst the other, 
if his strain is superior, has an irritability, a nervous- 
ness, that unfits him for the steady routine of making 
wheels turn round, and is only calculated to carry a 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 81 

light weight and occasionally win a plate or purse. I 
believe it is estimated tliat only one colt in thirty proves 
himself a first-rate runner, under the most judicious 
management in the selection of brood mares, and the 
greatest care in feeding, grooming and bitting. Such 
a colt may possibly bring two or three thousand dol- 
lars, but the tv/enty-nine may not average one hundred 
and fifty dollars; while the trotting colt of good prom- 
ise (which is indicated not unfrequently at three years 
old,) readily brings from two to five hundred dollars, 
and some of them one thousand. Besides, these horses 
are always in demand ; every man in the neighbor- 
hood of our large cities, travelling on dusty roads, 
wants a trotter for his every-day use ; but how few of 
them keep a racer ? 

" I am aware that fine roadsters are sometimes obtain- 
ed by crossing the large common mare with the full- 
blooded horse. There are instances of it in the progeny 
of old Messenger; he was the sire of Fagdown, and, I 
believe, of Mambrino and Hamiltonian ; and this stock 
has supplied Philadelphia and New York with the 
only trotting horses that they raised for some time. 
Tippoo Saib, who now stands at the Hunting Park 
Course, belongs to the same family; and although, as 
a trotter, I have never heard of his performance, yet 
he is the sire of Lady Miller, a very celebrated trotter. 

" Now, with the exception of Messenger, I have never 
been able to trace extraordinary trottmg families derived 
from such a source. There are individuals of celebrity 
whose origin is unknown ; but we want, in this quar- 
ter, the distinct race, as they pervade some parts of the 
Eastern States, and the county of Norfolk, England. * * 
4* 



82 THE MOIIGAN HOHSE. 

" I think there are two reasons why we have not sup- 
plied the Philadelphia market with the right kind of 
roadster ; one is, we have mixed np too much of the 
running stock, particular]}^ in JSTew Jersey and South- 
ward of U.S ; and the other is, we have too little. That 
medium so desirable for the road, w^hich for years has 
given celerity to the private and public conveyances 
in New England, was not generally known here until 
the establishment of the Trotting Club on the Hunting 
Park Course." 

In the March number of the Albany Cultivator for 
1848, J. B. Burnett, a '^ ihoroiLgli-hrecV man, in an arti- 
cle in favor of thorough-bred horses, and against the 
Morgans, with equal truth and candor saj^s : "It can- 
not be denied that they possess great energy and cour- 
age, great strength and endurance, great ambition and 
docility ; that they mature early and are easily kept ; 
that they are pleasant drivers and always ready for 
business, and — what is more important — sell at high 
prices." 

E. L. Allen, Esq., an accomplished gentleman in 
New York, and a thorough horseman, having no inter- 
est then or since in Morgan stock, so far as we can 
ascertain, thus speaks of them in his American Agri- 
culture. After pointing out their origin, he says : 

" The result has been the production of a fiimily of 
roadsters of much similarity of appearance and uni- 
formity of character, unsurpassed by any others for ser- 
viceable qualities. They are of medium size, from 
thirteen and a half to fifteen hands high, with a well- 
formed head and neck, high withers, deep chest, round 
body, short back, large quarters, broad, flat legs, mod- 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. S3 

erately small feet, long, wavy mane and tail, present- 
ing altogetlier tke beau ideal of the road horse. 

" They are spirited and docile, hardy and easily kept. 
They have an easy and rapid trot, and glide along 
with a good load without clatter or apparent efrort, at 
the rate of ten or twelve miles an hour." 

Mr. Weissinger, formerly one of the editors of the 
Louisville (Kentnck}^) Journal^ tnat has for many years 
been a leading paper at the South, made a tour through 
the Northern States in the summer of 1845. While 
in Vermont, his taste lor horses prompted him to exam.- 
ine carefully the Morgans. In a letter to the "Jour- 
nal," after some remarks in relation to their origin, 
he says: 

" There is no doubt vv'hatever of this — that the breed 
of the Morgan horse was, and is now, in the few in- 
stances where it can be found, far the best breed of 
horses for general use that ever was in the United 
States — probably the best in the world ; and it is re- 
markable that this breed was, and is now, knov\'n by 
many striking peculiarities, commxOn to nearly every 
individual. They have a full, heavy, wavy mane and 
tail, good head and neck, small, well-shaped ears ; are 
broad between the eyes ; legs broad and short, with 
large tendons, bodies rather thick-set ; but their most 
striking peculiarity is in their carriage : legs well un- 
der, trot quick, short and springy, the fore-legs bending 
remarkably, the very reverse of the slow, slouchy move- 
ment of the race-horse in the trot. They are likewise 
exceedingly hardy and well-tempered." 

In the American Farmer's Encyclopedia, edited by 



84 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

Governeur Emerson, and published in Philadelpliia, in 
1844, is tlie following description of the Morgan horse : 

"Perhaps the very finest breed of horses in the 
United States, when general usefulness is taken into 
consideration, is what is commonly known in the North 
ern and Eastern States as the Idorgan horse. 

" This breed is distinguished by its activity, united 
v/ith strength and hardiness. Its size is moderate, and 
though not often possessing the fleetness which recom- 
mends it to the sportsman, it has speed enough to entitle 
it to the appellation of a fast traveller. Their usual height 
is from fourteen to fifteen hands, color bay, make round 
and rather heavy, w^ith lean heads, broad and deep chests, 
the fore limbs set wide apart, legs clean and sinewy, 
short, strong backs, wdth that projection of the ribs 
from the backbone which is a sure indication of great 
development of lungs, and consequently of great wind 
and bottom. For saddle, draught, and other useful 
purposes, the Morgan horses, bred in Vermont and in 
all the Eastern States, including the Northern and 
Western parts of New York, are so much prized as to 
command much higher prices in the principal cities of 
the Atlantic States, than horses from other parts of the 
Union." 

The Maine Farmer for 1853 (we think in the April 
number) in an editorial, thus speaks of the Morgan 
horses: "The stock of Morgan horses is so univer 
sally known and admired throughout New England, 
that it is hardly necessary to repeat their merits. For 
a seller of horses, it is only necessary to establish the 
fact that his horses are of the Morgan blood, and ho 



ADAPTATI02T TO THE ROAD, ETC. 85 

meets with, a ready sale at good prices, and tlio pur- 
'^hasers are more tlian satisfied. 

" They excel in great endurance, carrying weight a 
long distance; and as roadsters they excel all other 
horses in this or any other country ; are full of noble 
and generous spirit, with such docility of temper tliat 
the most timid can driye them ; but if put to their met- 
tle, they are a full. hand for the best driver." In fin 
elaborate article in the Neio York Herald^ in relation 
to the horses of that city, published early in 1853, in 
speaking of the large number of horses employed iu 
hauling the cars on the Sixth Avenue Railroad, the 
writer says : " Four-fifths of all the horses em.ployed on 
this road are fi'om Vermont and Kew Hampshire, and 
of these neary all are of the celebrated Morgan breed. 
These horses have long and justly been celebrated for 
their admirable qualities as roadsters. 

"They are particularly remarkable for their great 
strength in proportion to their size, and for their pov,^er 
of endurance, bearing up under hard labor that would 
break down the strongest draft horse. 

" The Morgan horse, though a small animal, is noted 
for his great bottom and hardiness, as well as for com- 
pactness and roundness of form. He is a very sprightly 
animal, and is said to be more sagacious than the gener- 
ality of horses." 

By reference to the report of the United States Agri- 
cultural Society's Fair, held in Boston, Ma^s., the fourth 
week in October, 1855, it appears that three premiums 
were offered to stallions as "roadsters;" of these all 
were awarded to stallions of Morgan descent; four 
premiums were offered to stallions for general use, four 



86: THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

years old and upwards. All of these vrere awarded to 
Morgans. To stallions for general use, three years old 
and under four years, two premiums were offered ; one 
of these was aw^arded to a Morgan. To stallions for 
general use, one year old and under two, three premiums 
offered ; two awarded to Morgans. To breeding mares 
and fillies four premiums were offered ; two awarded to 
Morgans. To fillies three years old, two premiums 
offered ; one awarded to a Morgan. Fillies one year 
old, only one premium awarded, and that to a Morgan. 
To trotting stallions four premiums were ofiered, and 
three of them awarded to Morgans. 

That this was a very large exhibition of horses is cer- 
tain, for there w^ere four hundred and forty-three horses 
entered for premiums. The report of every State Fair 
at the North and West, shov/s that wherever exhibited, 
the Morgans take the very highest rank as horses for 
general use. Now this evidence of his value is the more 
striking, as at most of these agricultural exhibitions 
he is among strangers, and he comes into competition 
with horses long known and having many friends 
around to assist in sustaining them. A horse that can 
compete successfully for the highest honors under such 
circumst^^nces, must be so plainly, and so far su.perior 
to his rivals, that the moment he is seen the spectator 
acknowledges, without hesitation, his great superiority. 
The appearance of " Champion Black Hawk," and Silas 
Hale's " Green MountaiD," on the fair grounds of Ken- 
tucky, at different times, strikiugly illustrate this. 

In the account of the agricultural fair, at Florence, 
Kentucky, in October, 1855, published in the Cincin 
nati Gazette of October ISth; 1855, is the follow- 



ADAPTATION TO THE ROAD, ETC. 87 

ing description of the exhibition of stallions for har- 
ness: 

" The Fair at Florence. — Yesterday was the day 
for the exhibition of horses. In the ring of stallions 
for harness, of four years old and upwards, the blue 
ribbon (highest premium) was tied on a dapple grey, 
but just then Champion Black Hawk, beloDging to 
Messrs. P. & L. Melendy, of Hamilton County, Ohio, 
was brought in, and the multitude immediately shouted, 
'take it off,' 'take it off.' 

" It was accordingly taken off and put upon Black 
Hawk, and no judgment of the Committee was more 
heartily approved by the spectators than this. Cham- 
pion Black Hawk is of the Morgan stock, and closely 
resembles old Green Mountain Morgan in size, build, 
and carriage. He is a small horse, but compactly 
built, indicates power and endurance, and in horseman 
phrase is ' big for his size.' " 

So, also, when Hale's Green Mountain appeared on 
the show grounds at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1858, he 
met with a cordial welcome, and the horse was greeted 
on his entering the exhibitioD ring, with such eager 
applause as told, full plainly, that his form and his 
style of action were new, but were appreciated by the 
thousands of strangers before whom he was moving. 
It is hardly necessary to say that he received the high- 
est premium, as he had previously done the same season 
at the Michigan State Fair at Detroit, and the Ohio State 
Fair at Dayton. 

It is proper to add, that the horse was taken from 
Yermont to Da3rton, Ohio, by railroad, without any 
stop for the purpose of rest. The fail at Dayton being 



88 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

over, lie went directly to Detroit, arriving there after 
the commencement of the fair. From Detroit he went 
directly to Louisville, where he arrived late the night 
previous to the last day of the fair. 

The following letter is from a gentleman long en- 
gaged in staging, whose opportunities for observation 
have been very extensive, and we would as soon rely 
upon his judgment in anything relating to the qualities 
of a good horse, as that of any person we have ever 
met: 

"Jefferson City, Missouri, April 14, 1856. 
"D. G. Linsley^ Esq, 

"Dear Sir: — It is with much pleasure I have to 
acknowledge the receipt of your favor of a recent date, 
requesting me to give you my views of Morgan horses, 
as compared with horses in general use at the AYest. 

" I have spent the greatest portion of my life in stag- 
ing, formerly in Yermont, and now in Missouri, and I 
take pleasure in bearing testimony to the decided superi- 
ority of Morgan horses for coach service, over any 
others that I have ever used. I have bought many horses 
in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, and 
though occasionally a good roadster can be found, they 
are not common. Many of the horses of these States 
have fine forms and good carriage, yet lack the high, 
free spirit, u.nflinching courage, and iron constitutions 
the Yermont horses so generally possess. Yery many 
of the "Western horses are too large. Large horses may 
be the best for draft, but I have always found horses of 
medium size, weighing, say about ten hundred and 



ADAPTATION TO THE EOAD, ETC. 89 

fifty pounds, much the most serviceable and enduring 
when used before a coach. 

"I am, Sir, very respectfully yours, 

"MILO JUNE." 

The writer of the following letter is well knoAvn at 
the East, and throughout the West, as one of the 
largest and most successful stage-owners in our country, 
and the noble fortune he has secured, by his own ex- 
ertions, sufficiently attest his practical wisdom, and the 
soundness and solidity of his judgment. His large ex- 
perience at the West gives peculiar value to his opinion, 
with regard to horses, adapted to that country : 

" Chicago, April 21st, 1856. 
"D. C. Linshy^ Esq. 

''Dear Sir : — Your favor of the 8th inst. is received, 
in relation to the Morgan breed of horses, and express- 
ing your desire to make them more generally known 
in the Western States. This desire I sincerely share 
with you, and cannot doubt your entire success. 

" Being a Vermonter, I have known Morgan horses 
as long as I have known any. I have resided at Chi- 
cago the last seventeen years, during which time I 
have been largely engaged in the business of staging — 
which business affords constant employment for about 
fifteen hundred horses — and have thus had opportuni- 
ties for observing and testing the capacity and endur- 
ance of horses. I have no hesitation in saying, I con- 
sider the Morgan horses far superior to any other breed 
or blood I have ever known for the road or farm. 

"In fact, I Avould prefer them over all others for 



90 THE 3I0RGAN HOKSE. 

any kind of service on the American Continent. They 
are invariably good feeders, are easily kept, and will 
not only perform and endure more service in a year, 
but more years of service, than any other breed of 
horses I have ever known. 

" Of the horses heretofore raised in the Western 
States, and particularly West of the Lakes (although 
much improvement has been made within a few years, 
and many fine horses may now be found among them), 
it is undeniably true, that a Morgan horse, from New 
England, will outlast two horses raised in the West. 

"It is also true, that but few Morgan horses have, 
as yet, been brought from New England West of the 
Lakes, and equally true, that their services are very 
generally sought by intelligent breeders of horses 
throughout the country. Any number of inferior 
horses may be found in the West, which are claimed 
to be of Morgan blood. 

"This attempt to palm off counterfeits, is the highest 
evidence of the value of the genuine blood. The 
ready and general objection in the West, with those 
who are not familiar with the Morgans, is want of size, 
forgetting that their size should be judged by their 
weight, and not by the length of their legs, and that 
the same bodies, upon longer legs, vv'ould look much 
larger. Wishing you success, and hoping that you 
may be instrumental in causing the vvhole of our fine 
State to be filled with horses of pure Morgan blood, 
" I am, Sir, your friend and servant, 

"M. 0. WALKER" 

We might continue to adduce testimony of a similar 



ADAPTATION TO THE KOAD, ETC. 91 

cliaracter to almost any extent, but we think t"he fore- 
going extracts from the highest sources, from persons 
uninterested in these horses, and residing in quarters 
of the country where they have not been bred, amply 
sufficient to establish the fact, that the Morgans, as a 
race, are possessed of great powers of endurance, and 
are admirably adapted for the road and general use. 

From a consideration of the foregoing extracts, it is 
to be hoped, that "a distinguished judge of horses in 
Yermont," will review his opinions, and that the ac- 
complished compiler of the breeds of horses in the 
United States, will not admit into a future edition of 
so valuable a work as Youatt's, an article so prejudiced, 
and so untrue. 



CHAPTER Y, 



ORIGIN OF THE MORGAN HORSE. 



The different accounts tliat have been circulated in 
regard to the origin of the Morgan breed of horses, 
agree that they are descended from a horse called the 
Justin Morgan, who derived his name from Mr. Jus- 
tin Morgan, of Randolph, Yt., once his owner. As 
to the origin of the Justin Morgan, however, they 
differ widely. 

The fact that little or no interest was felt in the sub- 
ject until after the death of Mr. Morgan, and indeed 
until after the death of his horse, will account for this 
diversity. 

Almost half a century passed away before any 
serious effort was made to determine the origin of an 
animal, whose value was daily more and more appre- 
ciated. After the death of Mr. Morgan the horse 
passed through several hands, and was kept at differ- 
ent places, and when at length serious inquiry was 
awakened on the subject, it was found that Mr. Morgan 
had left no written pedigree of his horse, and different 
reports of what he said in relation to it got into circu- 
lation. 

We think it may be considered as certain, that during 
Mr. Morgan's life and until long after his death, very 
little interest was felt in the question, " What was the 

C»2) 



ITS ORIGIN. 98 

exact pedigree of the horse ?" When the inquiry be- 
came interesting, and discussion arose, different stories 
were current, and opinions were frequently formed in 
accordance with previous prejudices or views of the in- 
dividual forming them, as to the value of different 
breeds of horses. Some, holding the opinion that no 
valuable horse could be expected without a great deal 
of racing blood, sought to make it appear that he was 
nearly thorough-bred. Others having less faith in the 
English racer, entertained different opinions, and adopted 
for their creed stories that ascribed to him a very dif- 
ferent origin. No person seemed to take the matter 
in hand and investigate it thoroughly, until those who 
might have given the necessary information were gone. 

It is not now probable that the blood of the Justin 
Morgan can ever be exactly and absolutely ascertained. 
We think, however, it may be considered certain that 
this unrivalled animal was produced by a cross of the 
Arabian or thorough-bred with the common stock, 
but the proportion of each cannot now be determined. 

There are no opinions that men maintain so stren- 
uously, and give up so reluctantly, as those which 
they form and publicly avow upon matters in which 
they are supposed by others to be particularly well-in- 
formed. This is more especially true when these opin- 
ions entertained and expressed, relate to matters of 
practical importance, and not simply to some abstract 
doctrine. 

Thus, suppose a man has studied long upon the 
subject of rotation of crops, and is thought to under- 
stand it thoroughly ; if his neighbor acting upon his 
advice is thereby injured, he will account for the fail- 



94 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

ure in any way, ratlier tlian ascribe it to his own want 
of information, or error of judgment. 

So the tradesman much more reluctantly acknow- 
ledges an error of judgment in relation to an article of 
which his very trade presupposes him to be a judge, 
than the man whose attention has been but momen- 
tarily drawn to it. It is to this disinclination to admit 
they have been in error, coupled with inattention to the 
proofs that have been offered, that we mainly attribute 
the disparity which may be noticed in the accounts given 
by horsemen of the origin of the Morgan horse ; for 
we think all candid persons who will devote but a lit- 
tle time to an examination of the subject, can hardly 
fail to arrive at one and the same conclusion. So much 
importance has of late years been attached to this sub- 
ject, and some excellent horsemen not fully agreeing 
in relation to it, we have been led to devote a good 
deal of time and labor to a careful examination of all 
such evidence as we could discover, and the result of 
our investigation is (as before stated) the firm convic- 
tion that the original Morgan horse v,^as not thorough- 
bred, but yet, had a large infusion of blood. 

Before considering the evidence that has led us to 
this conclusion, we wish to explain what seems to us 
should be the character of the evidence that should be 
deemed amply sufiicient to establish this point. 

While the friends of these horses have been some- 
times ready to declare the original Justin Morgan fully 
thorough -bred, on the strength of evidence which we 
think can hardly be deemed sufficient; yet on the 
other hand, parties interested in denying he had any 
claim, even to a particle of that noble blood, insist 
upon proof that shall amount to demonstration. 



ITS ORIGIN. 95 

The pedigree of a stock liorse may in one sense he 
considered property ; it is a valuable thing, and one 
from which the owner may derive great benefit. Now 
what reason can be assigned for insisting that a man 
shall adduce stronger evidence to establish his claim 
to such a pedigree, than is required before a court of 
justice to secure him in the possession of his house, or 
his farm ; or stronger than would be suf&cient to enable 
his neighbor to turn him out of doors ? There can be 
no reason. But some gentlemen insist that the pedi- 
gree of an animal, to be entitled to credit, should be 
supported by evidence as conclusive as would be re- 
quired to send the owner to the gallows, if he were in- 
dicted for murder. This is certainly most unreason- 
able and unjust. 

The following articles^ we believe, comprise all the 
important statements in relation to the origin of the 
Morgan horse that have ever been published. Some 
of them have been printed in very many different papers 
throughout the country, but, with a single exception, 
we believe, they were all originally published in The 
Albany Cultivator. 

In the October number of that paper for 1841, Yol. 
8, p. 162, there appeared the following letter and ac- 
companying affidavit : 

''Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker: I lately received 
great satisfaction from hearing vfhat appears to be 
a correct account of the origin of the Morgan horses 
of Vermont ; a breed known and esteemed for activ- 
ity and hardiness, throughout all the Korthern States ; 
not remarkable for size, and scarcely known to tho 



96 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

sportsman for speed. This race is perhaps as highly 
celebrated as any for general usefulness, and for such 
a degree of fleetness as entitles it to the appellation of 
fast traveller. 

" Their height is from fourteen to fifteen hands ; color, 
bay ; make, round and heavy, with lean lieads, broad 
and deep chests, the fore-limbs set far apart, clean and 
sinewy legs, short strong backs, with that projection 
of the ribs from the spine which is a sure indication of 
powerful lungs, and, consequently, of great \\ind and 
bottom. The original Morgan horse, called also the 
Goss horse, is well known to have appeared in Ran- 
dolph and in St. Johnsbury (Yt.) some forty years 
since, and to have been kept as a stallion, at first with 
but little, and subsequently v,dth very great patronage, 
some five and twenty years, or until he was thirty 
years old or more. Yarious accounts are current as to 
his origin ; many think it quite distinct from the Cana- 
dian breed of Korman-French extraction, and consider 
the horse to have been of Dutch blood, and to have 
been introduced from som.e of the settlements on Hudson 
river, southward of Albany. Stories are told of a travel- 
ler's blood mare having got with foal by a Canadian 
or Indian pony, at various places north and west, and 
having brought forth this horse ; all these accounts are 
improbable, and appear to be unauthenticaited. 

"For the last dozen years, being aware, both by 
observation and experiment, of the surprising results 
of crossing the Canadian with other breeds of horses, 
and having become acquainted with the vast variety 
and different qualities of various races in the Canadian 
breed, I have believed that the original Morgan horse 



ITS ORIGIN. 97 

was of French Cauadian origin. This opinion being 
confirmed by the accounts here given. I am anxious to 
ascertain whether any one can prove it erroneous, and, 
if not, to make it public, that it may be known that 
thousands of horses may be obtained in French Cana- 
da of the same blood, and not inferior in qualities to 
the Morgan, whose existence added several hundred 
thousand dollars to the wealth of Vermont. 

"George Barnard. 
''Sherbrooh, P, C, August, 1841." 

"(affidavit.) 

" I was about thirteen years of age when the Mor- 
gan horse was first brought to St. Johnsbury, in Ver- 
mont, where my father lived. As I am now fifty, it 
must have been about 1804. On the eve of the second 
Tuesday in June (for I well remember that the morrow 
was training-day) I was at my father's house, and a 
man of the name of Abel Shorey, a skilful horseman 
of the neighborhood, was there also ; when David G oss, 
jr., my cousin, then aged about seventeen, came up 
from his father's, distant about three-quarters of a 
mile, with a message to Shorey, requesting him to go 
to his father's (my uncle David's) and trim a horse 
that uncle John Goss had just then brought over from 
Eandolph, distant forty miles. 

" I accompanied them, and, at my imcle David's, we 
found uncle John from Eandolph, with a little, heavy, 
handsome, active bay horse, vfhich he requested Shorey 
to trim, chiefly by pulling out and cutting the hairs of 
his tail, which appeared as if it had been gnawed by 
calves. Uncle John said he was a Canadian horse 
5 



98 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

that lie had just got from Justin Morgan of Eandolph, 
wlio had lately brought hhn from Montreal. I, after* 
wards, frequently heard the manner of his purchasing 
the horse related in my father's and uncle David's 
families, which was this : uncle John had lent Morgan 
the sum of forty dollars on occasion of the latter's go- 
ing a journey to Montreal in Canada. Morgan obtained 
the horse, then four years old, at Montreal, and being 
unable to repay the money on his return, disposed of him 
to uncle John, to pay the debt. Uncle John, who was 
no horseman, now brought him to my uncle David, 
who was much of a horseman, in the hope that some- 
thing might be made by keeping him for mares. I 
remember Shorey's calling him ' a full blood French 
horse.' 

" Uncle John Goss engaged Shorey to take the horse 
next day to training, at Maj. Butler's, and there I saw 
him cover four mares. 

" My uncle, David Goss, kept the horse through the 
season, working him on his farm, and putting him to 
mares when they were brought; he also kept him 
through the next winter and the ensuing spring, when 
the foals were found to be universally excellent ; uncla 
John took him back to Eandolph, where he made his 
socond season : the third season he was brought to St. 
Johnsbury, and stood at u.ncle David's again. After 
this, as I went to learn my trade, I cannot give so 
particular an account of the horse, but remember that 
he was kept several seasons in St. Johnsbury. 

'' This, and more to the same purpose, maybe attested 
by David Goss, sen., Phillip Goss, David Goss, jr., 



ITS ORIGIN". 99 

Clark Stearns, Abel Sliore}^, Abel Butler, and Thomas 
Pierce, all of St. Jolinsburj. 

"John Stearns. 

'* Sworn before me at Charleston village, 
this 14th of August, 1841. 

"David Connell, J. P." 

In the June number of " The Cultivator" (Vol. IX., 
p. 99), is the following letter: 

"Messrs Gaylord and Tucker: — Mr. Edward 
Terry, of Eochester, Yt., recently sent me two numbers 
of your 'Cultivator,' containing some account of the 
origin of the Morgan breed of horses, and also an affida- 
vit of John Stearns, of St. Johnsbury, Yt., relative to 
the same subject. I have read the affidavit of the said 
Stearns attentively, and know that he is entirely mis- 
taken in all his statements relative to the time said 
horse was brought into Yermont, the place from which 
he was brought, and the manner in which he says his 
uncle, John Goss, obtained said horse of my father. I 
know very well that Mr. John Goss never obtained 
said horse of my father in any way whatever. My 
father owmed said horse to the day of his death, and, in 
the settlement of my father's estate, said horse passed 
into the hands of William Eice, then living in Wood* 
stock, Yt., since deceased. 

" I will now relate the facts relative to said 
Morgan horse, as I recollect them. My father, 
Justin Morgan, brought said horse, or, rather, said 
colt, into Eandolph, Yt., in the summer or autumn of 
1795. Said colt was only two years old when my 



100 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

fatlier brouglit him to Kandolph, and never had been 
handled in any way, not even to be led by a halter. 
My father went to Springfield, Mass., the place of his 
nativity, and the place from which he removed to 
Eandolph, in the spring or summer of 1795, after 
money that was due to him at that place, as he said; 
and, instead of getting money as he expected, he got 
two colts — one a three years old gelding colt, which he 
led, the other, a two years old stud colt, which followed 
all the way from Springfield to Eandolph ; having been, 
as my father said, always kept with, and much attached 
to the colt he led. Said two years old colt was the 
same that has since been known all over New England 
by the name of th(3 Morgan horse. 

"My father broke said colt himself, and, as I have 
before remarked, owned and kept him to the time of 
his decease, which took place in March, 1798, and said 
horse was five years old the spring my father died ; 
and, as before stated, soon affcer my father's decease, he 
passed -from my father's estate into the possession of 
Wm. Rice, of Woodstock, Yt. I cannot state positively 
that my father purchased said colt in Springfield, 
Mass., but I am very confident that he purchased him 
in that town, or in the immediate vicinity on Connec- 
ticut river, and I know that my father always, while 
he lived, called him a Dutch horse. 

"Justin Morgan. 

''jStockbridge, Yt, March 1, 1842." 

In the next number of " The Cultivator" (Yol. IX., 
p. 110), under the head of " Condensed Correspondence 
end Enquiries," we find the following article: 



ITS ORIGIN. 101 

"After our last paper -went to press, containing the 
statement of Justin Morgan, Esq., of Stockbridge, Vt., 
that his father brought the original Morgan horse from 
Springfield, Mass., we received a communication from 
Mr. John Morgan, of Lima, in this State, confirming 
the statement of Justin Morgan, that the sire of the 
celebrated Morgan horses of Vt. came from Massa- 
chusetts, instead of from Canada, as has heretofore 
been supposed. Mr. John Morgan informs us that 
he resided in Springfield, Mass., near Mr. Justin Mor- 
gan, sen., previous to his removal to Vermont, and 
that the two years old stud which he took with him to 
Vermont, as stated in our last paper, by Mr. J. Morgan, 
jr., ' was sired by a horse owned by Sealy Norton, of 
East Hartford, Conn., called the True Briton, or Beau- 
tiful Bay ; he was kept at Springfield one season, by 
the said Justin Morgan, and, two years after, I kept 
him two seasons.' This horse was said to be raised by 
Gen. De Lancey, commander of the refugee troops on 
Long Island, and rode by him in the Revolution. It 
was said thai one Smith stole the horse from the 
General, at King's Bridge, while the General was in 
the tavern — ran him across the Bridge, and took him 
to the American army near White Plains, and sold 
him to Joseph Ward, of Hartford, Conn., for $300. It 
was also said, at that time, that he Avas sired by the 
noted imported horse, called the ' Traveler,' said to bo 
kept in 'Ne\Y Jersey. Ward was a merchant, and kept 
the liorse three or four years for a saddle and car- 
riage horse, and traded him off to Norton, and Norton 
kept him for mares while he lived. The description 



102 THE MORaAN HORSE. 

of the Morgan breed, given bj Mr. G. Barnard, answers 
well to the description of the stock of True Briton. 

"His stock was all bright bays, some inclining to 
sorrel. I have always understood that Morgan kept 
the colt for a stud at Eandolph, and was very celebra- 
ted for his stock." 

The following extract from Mr. Weissinger's letter 
to " The Louisville Journal," published in the autumn 
of 1845, to which we have before alluded, embodies 
one of the stories that have been circulated to some ex- 
tent in relation to this matter. 

" Mr. Cottrel, of this place, (Montpelier, Yt.,) who 
is as well acquainted with horses as any man in Ver- 
mont, says there is not the slightest doubt that the 
original Morgan was got by a Canada horse. He says 
the most probable account of his origin is this : 'A 
man by the name of Smith, of Plainfield, N. H., had a 
fine imported mare. He rode this mare to Canada on 
a courting expedition, and while there his mare got in 
foal. Smith regretted the accident, and laying no 
value upon the colt, he sold it to Morgan, a siDging-mas- 
ter, who, when the colt was grown, rode him around 
on his singing circuit. When the colts from Morgan's 
horse grew up, thej proved fine, and this gave him 
celebrity. He was a fleet runner at short distances, 
and this originally induced the people to try him.' " 

In the January number of " The Albany Cultivator '' 
for 1846, Vol. IIL, (new series,) page 19, is published a 
letter from Frederick A. Weir, of Walpole, New Hamp- 
shire, from which we extract all that in any way re- 
lates to the origin of the Morgan horse, as follows : 



ITS ORIGIN. 103 

" For the last fifteen years my business has called 
me frequently into almost all parts of Vermont, and I 
liave been led to make very extensive and particular 
inquiries into the liistory of the Morgan horse. Al- 
though there are six or eight, or more, different stories 
in circulation in relation to his origin, and several of 
them attempted to be supported by affidavit, yet I per- 
fectly agree with you that the account given by Justin 
Morgan's son, Justin Morgan 2d, who is a merchant 
now in business at Stockbridge, Vermont, and a gen- 
tleman of intelligence and stpmding, extended and con- 
firmed by that of Mr. John Morgan, is the only one 
entitled to belief. 

"From my correspondence with Justin and John 
Morgan, and others, I am enabled to state the pedigree 
on both sides of the Morgan horse. 

"He was foaled in 1793, was sired by True Briton^ 
or Beautiful Bay, owned by Sealy Norton, of East 
Hartford, Conn., and then kept by John Morgan at 
West Springfield, Mass. True Briton was sired by 
the imported horse Traveller. 

" The dam of the Justin Morgan horse, at the time 
he was sired, was owned by Justin Morgan himself, at 
Springfield, Mass., where he then 'livecL 

" The dam is described by Mr. John Morgan, who 
knew her, as of the Wild-air breed, of middling size, 
with a heavy chest, of a very light bay color, with a 
bushy m^ane and tail, the hair on the legs rather long, 
and a smooth, handsome traveller. She was sired by 
Diamond, a thick, heavy horse of about the middling 
Bize, Avith a thick, heavy mane and tale, hairy legs and 
a smooth traveller. Diamond was kept by Justin Mor- 



104 THE MORGAN liOESE. 

gan himself, at the time the dam of the Morgan hors3 
was sired. He was raised in East Hartford, Connecti- 
cut. His sire was the Wild-aii^, known as the Church 
horse. His dam was the noted imported mare Wild- 
air, owned by Capt. Samuel Burt, of Springfield, Mass. 
The Church horse was sired by the horse Wild-air, 
imported by Delancy, of Long Island, and as it was 
said, was afterwards taken back to England. 

'' Mr. John Morgan describes True Britton as being 
a high-headed and hollow, or sway -backed horse, and 
his stock of such a description ; and states that the 
Wild-airs also, were generally so." 

Under date of Stockbridge, Yt., Feb. 27, 1847, Mr. 
Justin Morgan writes to "The Albany Cultivator" as 
follows : 

"There seems to be some persons who still continue 
to suppose that there was ' French-Canadian ' blood in 
the original horse which belonged to my father, Justin 
Morgan, and from which the excellent stock of ' Mor- 
gan horses' sprung; while no one Avho has attended to 
the clear proofs to the contrary, which have from time 
to time appeared in your valuable Journal, can now 
justly entertain any such notion. 

"In the fall of 1795, my father brought the horse, 
then a two years old colt, from Springfield, Massachu- 
setts, to Eandolph, Vermont. Mr. John Morgan, of 
Lima, N. Y., who,' though of the same name, is but a 
distant relative of my father's family, then lived, as I 
have been informed, in Springfield, and had every op- 
portunity, as I believe, of knowing the truth in relation 
to the horse. Mr. J. Morgan says he was not only 
well acquainted with my father's horse, but also with 



ITS ORIGIN. 105 

the sire of that horse, 'True Briton' or 'Beautiful 
Bay,' and he states that he (Mr. J. M.) kept the latter 
horse at the time m j father's colt was begotton by him. 
He says, also, that he was acquainted with ' Traveller,' 
' Diamond,' and ' Wild-air,' and at the time knew them 
to be Engiish-blood horses. Mr. John Morgan further 
says, that however much may have been said relative 
to my father having brought the horse from Canada, 
he knows that it was not so. His means of knowledge, 
and the respectability of his character, entitles his state- 
ments to the fullest credit. The fact that my father 
died about two and a half years after he brought the 
colt into Eandolph, his children all being young, and 
the horse having been sold out of the family very soon 
after my father's decease, may account for his pedigree 
not being better understood. I have a jDerfect recol- 
lection of the horse when my father owned him and 
afterwards, and have always lived where his stock is 
well known, and well remember that my father always 
spoke of him as a horse of the best bloocl. * -^ * " 
In order to get a clearer idea of the whole subject, 
let us glance at some fects in rehation to Mr. Justin 
Morgan. He was born in 1747, at West Springfield, 
Mass. His father was not wealthy, and was able to 
give Justin only a common education. He was natu- 
rally quick and intelligent, and by application obtained 
a thorough knowledge of the primary English branches, 
was an excellent penman, and a very fine singe i-. 
Physically he was tall, slim, and of feeble health, being 
inclined to consumption. In fact, he was unable to 
perform any manual labor of importance after he was 
twenty years old, and supported himself almost entire- 
5* 



106 THK MORGAN HOESE. 

ly by teaching siDging, writing, and common district 
schools. As a teacher, he seems to have been success- 
ful, and was very much liked wherever he went, on 
account of his urbane manners and upright character. 
At about thirty he was married, and the fruit of this 
connexion was one son and four daughters. The son 
was born March 15, 1786, and was called after his 
father, Justin. 

In the Spring of 1788 Mr. Morgan sold his place in 
Springfield, Mass., and removed with his family to 
Randolph, Vt. His wife, Martha, died March 20, 
1791, and he died March 22, 1798. The most import- 
ant of these facts, so far as they relate to our present 
subject, are first, the time at which he removed his 
family from Springfield, Mass., to Randolph, Yt. ; and 
second, the time of his death ; and we will here give 
the reasons for the statements we have just made in re- 
lation to these events. 

In the Book of Record of Deeds of the county of 
Hampshire, Mass., 'No. 29, page 29, it appears that on the 
12th of March, 1788, Justin Morgan soldto Abner Mor- 
gan a lot of land in West Springfield, Mass., estimated to 
contain about two-thirds of an acre, and upon which there 
was a house and barn, for the sum of thirty-three pounds 
seventeen shillings and six-pence. From this time until 
his death, there is no record of his having conveyed 
any other real estate in that county, nor can we find 
any record of any conveyance of real estate to him. 

From this it is clear that he sold his property in 
Springfield, Mass., in the Spring of 1788. It seems 
equally clear, that he removed his family to Randolph 
the same Spring, for his daughter Nancy was born in 



ITS ORIGIN. 107 

Eandolpli, Yt., Sept. 3, 1788, as appears from the town 
records. 

That lie remained constantly in tliat town until the 
summer of 1793 is evident, for lie was cliosen Lister 
March 19, 1789, and was chosen Town Clerk March 
9, 1790, and served the town in that capacity until 
March 18, 1793. As his name appears from time to 
time in the parish records of West Springfield previ- 
ous to 17SS, it is plain that he lived there up to the 
time he sold his place ; and from the facts we have be- 
fore given, it is no less plain that from 1788 to 1793, 
he resided in Randolph, Vt. 

That he died in 1798, is shown by the record of 
births, marriages and deaths, in the town of Randolph, 
which reads ^'Justin Morgan died March 22, 1798;" 
and the same is inscribed UDon his tombstone in the 
burying-ground at Randolph Centre, Yt. In the me- 
moirs of Mrs. Emily Edgerton, (a daughter of Justin 
Morgan,) edited by Rufus ^^uttiiig, and published in 
1832, is the following statement: ''Among the early 
settlers of this town (Randolph) was Justin Morgan, 
Esq., the father of the subject of this biographical 
sketch. Emily was the second of his five children, and 
was born Feb. 16, 1784. In her seventh year, she was 
called to one of the most severe afilictions, the loss of 
a kind and faithful mother. * * * ^ -" Her affection- 
ate father survived her mother about seven years." If 
this was correct, it might be said that Justin Morgan 
died in 1797 ; but there is evidently a mistake in say- 
ing her mother died Vvdien Emily was " in her seventh 
year," for her sister Polly was born March 10, 1791, 
or nearly one month after Emily was seven years old, 



108 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

find, as we have before stated, her mother aied ]March 
20, 1791. (See town record.) Such an error may 
easily be accounted for by considering, that in the me- 
moirs referred to, the exact date of her mother's death 
was not considered important, as is manifest from the 
general way in which it is stated, and the author evi- 
dently intended to convey no other idea than that' 
when about seven years old, her mother died. A clear 
understanding of these flicts is necessary, and its im- 
portance will appear from a consideration of what Ave 
shall say in regard to the foregoing extracts relating 
to the origin of Morgan liorses. 

The account of the origin of the Morgan horse, em- 
bodied in the affidjivit of John Stearns, has been pretty 
v/idely circulated, and is undoubtedly believed by 
many to this day. The first objection that a thorough 
horseman would urce to this statement vv^ould be, that 
if descended from a Canadian sire, both he and his stock 
should bear a strong resemblance to that breed of 
horses ; wdiereas nothing can be more clear than that 
in most of their leading features they are altogether 
unlike. 

Mr. George Barnard, of Sherbrook, Canada East, 
who has devoted years to the breeding of horses, and 
who has owned, and we believe still owns, some very 
line racing stock, is an intelligent gentleman, and all 
who know him must confess him to be reliable au- 
thority upon such a subject. In a letter to "The Al- 
bany Cultivator," under date of October, 25, 1841, 
he thus compares the Morgan with the Canadian horse : 
"In my communication on this subject, published in 
the late October number, I have expressed too confi- 



ITS ORIGI^^. 109 

dent an opinion in saying I believe the original horse 
(Morgan) was of French Canadian origin. I have 
recently had some acquaintance with a Morgan horse 
endowed with all the peculiarities of the breed, suffi- 
cient to make me forbear any decided opinion on the 
point in question, until very clear evidence is adduced. 
The affidavit Avhicli I furnished is only probable, and 
not conclusive testimony that the original horse was 
of Norman-French descent, and procured in Montreal. 

The horse which has been v/ith me of late is one of 
those called, from being in-bred, a fall blooded Morgan 
— an absurd term, for it is impossible that a descend- 
ant can inherit full blood from a single progenitor. 
The term full-hlood OT thorough-bred can only be used 
with propriety where the distinctive appellation is 
derived from a race or sort ^vhich furnished both 
parents; thus we may say a thorough - bred or full- 
blood English race-horse, a full-blood or thorough- 
bred Alderney cow, if both sire and dam were of the 
breed or sort designated. The term thorough-bred, 
however, has heretofore almost exclusively been ap- 
plied to race-horses, because for centuries before the 
present, the racing breed of horses has been the only 
breed of animals highly cultivated, and of which the 
pedigrees could be ])roved by written or printed docu- 
ments. 

"All the accounts, being not less than half a dozen, 
which I have heard of the origin of the first Morgan 
horse, agree in this, that one Justin Morgan, of Ran- 
dolph, Yt., from whom the name was derived, owned 
the animal while he was yet a colt. Doubtless there 
live persons who can testify to his origin, whether or 



110 THE MORGAly HORSE. 

not it be such as represented in the late affidavit. The 
public would be not only gratified, but greatly bene- 
fited by such evidence. There has probably never 
been another stallion Avhose stock for thirty or fort}^ 
years have produced so much net profit to the 
growers. 

" I will now endeavor to point out what appears to 
be the chief points of distinction between the Morgan 
breed and the horses of Norman-French descent, pro- 
duced in Canada. Let me premise that a gTcat variety 
of races exists in the Canadian breed, yet all clearly 
impressed with a certain general character. The broad, 
courageous - looking head, Avith ears far apart, thick 
neck, with general stoutness of frame, full breast and 
strong shoulder, with a round or fleshy croup ; the 
low-set muscles and large sinews, with those tough 
feet that know not disease, are distinguishing marks 
of the French Canadian horse. 

" The shagginess or abundance of hair in the mane 
and tail and on the legs are much owing to the severity 
of the climate, wdth the manner of rearing the animals, 
and may be expected in a great measure to disappear 
under good cultivation, long before the innate excel- 
lencies and peculiarities will perceptibly change. 

"The Morgan horse does not partake of all these 
marks in common with the Canadian. The clear, and 
deep-toned bay color, too^ which prevails in the Morgan, 
is rare among Canadian horses. It occurs in individ- 
uals ; but unless characteristic of the race for a long 
period of time, it could hardly bo supposed that this 
color would so generally occur as it does in the Morgan 
horses of the present day. Peculiaiities produced by a 




C O M E 'J^ 




P K I N C E A L B E K T 



ITS ORIGIN. Ill 

single cross are apt to wear away in a few generations, 
■unless maintained by careful selection on the part of 
tlie breeder. If, tben (supposing the Morgan horse to 
have come from Canada), his color was an accidental 
variety, it wonld not have so generally marked his 
numerous offspring, unless great pains were taken to 
preserve it by selection, which has not been the case. 
It appears evident from the prevalence of this color 
through several successive generations, as well as the 
similar descent of various qualities, which are authen- 
ticated as having belonged to the first known sire, that 
the Morgan horse, whatever may have been its origin, 
was of one pure stock ; that is, that he was not cross- 
bred, or produced by the union of two different breeds ; 
for in that case, there must have been a greater variety 
in his progeny ; some running to one family, and some 
to the other, whereas a remarkable similarity is known 
to prevail in all of this race. And here we may notice 
that the breeder is apt to find an essential difference in 
the two races : the Morgan, crossed or mixed with the 
various common breeds, inclines to retain its peculiar 
characteristics and its small size in the offspring for 
many generations, while all the French Canadian 
races, though not larger for the most part than the 
Morgan, when used as a cross, increase the size of the 
progeny, and frequently assimilate so that the blood 
can only bo recognized by a practiced observer, in the 
greater development and robustness of form, and the 
courage, spirit, and aptness to thrive, which are com- 
monly reckoned as constitutional health. 

" The Morgans differ essentially from the Canadian 
horses in their action or mode of travelling. A Mor- 



112 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

gan horse glides over tlie ground eight or nine miles 
an hour, with such easy movements of his legs, that 
one would think they only felt relieved when so em- 
ployed ; the Canadian, if he has speed, seems to go by 
main strength, every stride arising plainly from a pur- 
posed exertion of his powerful muscles. 

" Another principal dissimilarity is in the endurance 
of the feet ; and here the Canadian horse has all the 
advantage. The Morgan appears to be subject, as 
much as equally strong-constitutioned horses of any 
breed, to founder, and other diseases of the feet, while 
with the Canadian such ailments are less known, per- 
haps, than with any other breed in the world. There 
are numbers of horses in Canada that, under a mavSS 
of shaggy hair, possess dry, sinewy legs, on which the 
severest service never raises a wind-gall. The legs of 
the Morgan, though destitute of long hair, have this 
excellent conformation in a very high degree. 

"The Morgan is a great traveller; an untiring, all- 
day horsCj but seldom a very fast-trotter or galloper, 
and less frequently a perfect saddle horse. The Cana- 
dian, if he has the power of rapid locomotion, inclines 
for the most part to put forth his energies only for a 
short time, and then to take a leisurely gait, as if a 
slight sense of fatigue overbalanced the alacrity of his 
nervous system. There are, however, splendid excep- 
tions to this description ; horses that with no light load 
behind them will travel eighty and even ninety miles 
in a day. Some of the light-footed Canadian horses, 
too, are very pleasant under the saddle, though in 
general the weight of the neck and uprightness of the 
shoulder disqualify them for this use. The head of 



ITS ORIGIN. 113 

the Morgan, thougli not less energetic, is somewhat 
dissimilar to that of the Canadian. The ears of one 
are upright ; of the other, more apart. The head of 
the Canadian horse is broader at the upper part than 
that of the other. Each has a great space between the 
eyes, which is considered a sure indication of energy 
in an animal. The Morgan has the best open nostril 
for wind and bottom, more like that of the race-horse ; 
and the whole of the muzzle, as well as the eye and 
ear, indicate more breeding, or a longer cultivation 
than those of the Canadian. There is a difference of 
shape observable throughout the whole figure. The 
Morgan is long in the side, but always short on the 
back, and strong and beautiful in the loins. His fina 
shoulder, too, differs from that of the Canadian horse. 
It is deep, well-sloped, comparatively thin at the top, 
and heavy at the bottom, serving, conjointly with a 
wdde chest, and the fore-legs set far apart, to give the 
horse an appearance of strength and endurance scarcely 
to be looked for in one of his spirit and fleetness. The 
high-crested neck, and thick wavy tail of the Morgan, 
shovvT much of the character of some races of the 
Canadian. 

"Whether the Morgan be a scion of the Canadian 
stock, or be derived from the Dutch, or some other 
breed wdiich has disappeared in the United States, ap- 
pears to be a question of some importance to those who 
would make good selections in order to improve the 
breed of horses, and w^hoever can throw any light on 
the subject v/ill gratify a large portion of your readers 
by making known his information through ' The Culti- 
tivator.' If the French Canadian did not supply the 



114 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Morgan, I, for one, sliould be glad to learn what other 
breed has ever been known upon this continent that 
could boast such excellent qualities for common serv- 
ice as are universally admitted to distinguish both of 
these breeds." 

The great difference in form, temper, and general 
character that exists between French Canadian and 
Morgan horses, as pointed out in the above letter, 
should cause us to receive with great caution any ac- 
counts ascribing his origin to the Canadian horse. 

Had Mr. Barnard been, at the time he penned the 
foregoing, better acquainted with Morgan horses, he 
might have added to his list of important particulars 
in which the two breeds differ materially. The Mor- 
gan horse is remarkable for the projection of his ribs 
from the spine, giving him a wide back and a round 
barrel ; v/hile the Canadian horse is inclined to be flat- 
sided. They differ much in their style of travelling. 
The Morgan raises his fore-feet but little, while the Ca- 
nadian horse has a high and labored action of the fore- 
feet. The Canadian horse is certainly very remark- 
able for the excellence of his feet, but, however the 
specimen Mr. Barnard had may have failed in this 
respect, poor feet are of very rare occurrence among 
Morgan horses. 

These remarks apply of course equalty Avell to all 
accounts that ascribe to the Morgan a French Canadian 
origin. As far as the affidavit of Mr. Stearns is con- 
cerned, they are not indispensable, for it can easily be 
shovrn to be erroneous. Mr. Stearns fixes the date of 
the Justin Morgan's first appearance in St. Johnsbury 
in June of 1804, which is perhaps correct. He says : 



ITS ORIGIN. 115 

'* Uncle John said lie was a Canadian horse that he 
had got from Justin Morgan, of Randolph, who had 
lately brought him from Montreal" — that is to saj, 
within a few weeks, that spring, or, perhaps, the pre- 
vious winter. Now, Justin Morgan died March 22d, 
1798, or six years previous to this time, as we have 
shown. 

With regard to the statement of Mr. Cottrel, as 
rendered by Mr. Weissenger, it will be observed that 
Mr. Cottrel by no means undertakes to vouch for its 
truth ; he does nothing of the sort, he merely gives it 
as the most probable account, the most plausible story 
in relation to it that he has heard. 

If there was no direct proof to contradict it, this 
story would be entitled to very little credit. It lacks 
any definite points — it is stated in the loosest and most 
general way. Mr. C. does not give Mr. Morgan's 
christian name, and "our only reason for inferring that 
the Morgan here spoken of and Mr. Justin Morgan, are 
one and the same individuals, is the statement that he 
owned the founder of the Morgan breed of horses, and the 
identity of their vocation — each being a singing teacher 
and living in the same vicinity ; for although. Mr. C. does 
not tell us where Mr. Morgan lived, Ave are left to sup- 
pose that he lived somewhere in the neighborhood of 
]\Ir. C, at least in that section of the country. We are 
not told at w^hat time this Mr. Smith sold this colt to 
Morgan, or how old the colt was Vv'hen sold;, he does not 
explain how it was that a man owning a fine imported 
mare, which we are allowed to infer must have been 
nearty if not quite thorough-bred (for we are imme- 
diately told that the colt became celebrated for running 



116 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

short races), should set no value upon her offspring, 
which from almost any kind of sire must have been 
valuable at a time when racing stock was in such de- 
mand and was so rare. But we will not pursue this 
subject further, as the letter of Justin Morgan, the 
younger, seems to us perfectly clear and conclusive on 
this point ; and it is, moreover, confirmed by a great 
many persons who were neighbors of Mr. Morgan's at 
the time he brought the colt from Massachusetts. 

Mr. David Goss, a man of high standing and charac- 
ter, who owned the original Justin Morgan seven years, 
says there is no doubt that the horse came from Spring- 
field, Mass. Mr. Goss further says, that he had no 
written pedigree of the horse, but that he bought him 
believing him to be partly thorough-bred, and that no 
question was ever made of it, so far as he knew, during 
the lifetime of the horse. The letters of Justin and 
John Morgan comprise all the important facts that can 
now be obtained in relation to the place where the 
horse originated ; and we can see no reason to doubt 
that he Avas sired by True Briton, as is clearly and dis- 
tinctly stated b}^ Mr., J. ]\Iorgan. No account of the 
pedigree of the horse was reduced to writing during 
the lifetime of Mr. Justin Morgan, and the accounts he 
gave verbally have been remembered somewhat differ- 
ently by diiferent individuals. All accounts (as before 
remarked) agree that he had racing blood in his veins ; 
some insist that it came from the sire, some that it came 
from the dam, and still others that it came from both. 
Even if we had no evidence, except what is derived 
from the descriptions given of him and from his stock, 
we should know that he was not a stranger to blood. 



ITS OKIGIN. 117 

His clean, lean head — his broad forehead — bold, full 
and prominent eyes — delicate ears, and flat, bony legs, 
give unmistakable evidence of a large infusion of racing 
or Arabian blood. Youatt says : " Few things indicate 
more clearlv the blood of the horse than the form of 
the frontal bones. Who has not remarked the broad, 
angular forehead of the blood-horse, giving him a beau- 
tiful expression of intelligence and fire, and the face 
gradually tapering from the forehead to the muzzle, 
contrasted with the large face of the cart or dray-horse, 
and the forehead scarcely wider than the face. It is 
equally true, that his exceedingly compact form, short 
and upright pasterns, his short stride, and the small 
space between the hip-bones and ribs, assure us of a 
different origin in part. 

With regard to his sire, we think there can be no 
reasonable doubt that he was sired by True Briton, as 
John Morgan positively states. The fact that Mr. Mor- 
gan kept True Briton two years, adds great weight to 
his testimony, for it not only shows that he had the 
best means of knowing the facts he states, but his in- 
terest in the horse would fully account for his remem- 
bering them distinctly so long a time. But with regard 
to the blood of True Briton, Mr. Morgan does not 
state positively— though he is not in doubt as to the 
fact of the horse having been purchased by Mr. Joseph 
Ward, of Hartford, Conn., for three hundred dollars, 
of some person who was said to have stolen him from 
Gen. De Lancey. 

The letter of John Morgan seems to us conclusive 
evidence with regard to the sire of the Justin Morgan. 
John Morgan was a man of high character for candor, 



118 THE MORCAN HORSE. 

truthfulness and intelligence. He lived at Springfield 
at the time the Morgan horse was sired, and at the time 
Justin Morgan removed to Vermont. He kept True 
Briton, or Beautiful Bay, two years, and he states that 
Justin Morgan kept him one year. Living on the 
ground, and being interested in the sire of the Morgan 
horse, he had every means of knowledge. His letter 
contains within itself evidence of the care and caution 
of John Morgan. When he speaks of facts known to 
himself, he states them positively : as, that he was sired 
by True Briton, or Beautiful Bay, owned by Selah 
Norton, of Hartford, Conn. ; that he was kept at Spring- 
field one season by Justin Morgan, and two years after- 
wards was kept two seasons by himself. When he comes 
to speak of the origin of True Briton, he does not say 
that he was raised by Gen. De Lancey, though he no 
doubt believed so, but with commendable caution he 
says, he (True Briton) ''^ivas said to be raised by Gen. 
De Lancey, commander of the refugee troops on Long 
Island, and rode by him in the Revolution. It was said 
that one Smith stole the horse from the General, at 
King's Bridge, while the General was in the tavern, 
ran him across the bridge and took him to the Ameri- 
can army, near White Plains, and sold him to Joseph 
Ward, of Hartford, Conn. It was also said at that time, 
that he was sired by the noted imported horse called 
the Traveller, said to he kept in ISTew Jersey." Again : 
when he comes to speak of Ward, he says positively 
that Ward was a merchant, and kept the horse three 
or four years for a saddle and carriage horse, and traded 
him off to Norton, &c., for these facts were within his 
own knowledge and he was certain. Again, when he 



ITS OKIGIN. 119 

comes to speak of wliat became of tlie colt, we observe 
the same caution. He says: ^ ''I have always understood 
that Morgan kept tlie colt for a stud at Eandolph, 
and was very celebrated for Lis stock." The considerate 
reader of this letter will not fail to see that it contains 
the strongest evidence of the honesty and sincerity of 
John Morgan, and that it shows (what is nearly as 
valuable in such a matter) that John Morgan thought- 
fully and carefully distinguished between what he had 
a personal hnoioledge of and what he believed on the 
statements of others. If all inquirers on this subject 
had used the same care, much error would have been 
avoided. 

Mr. Morgan is not, however, the only authority in 
relation to the blood of True Briton. In " The Connec- 
ticut Courant"for April 26th, 1791, appeared an adver- 
tisement of Selah Norton's, from -which the following 
extracts are made :" 

" Beautiful Bay will cover (for the benefit of the 
public) for 155. the season, cash or grain, next fall. 
* ^' "^ .^ His sire was the imported horse 
Traveller, owned in New Jersey. His dam, De Lancey's 
imported racer. Ten pounds was offered for one of his 
colts when ten days old, at Lanesborough. " * 
*'^ " He is in his prime, in fine order, bright bay, 
fifteen hands high, trots and canters very light. * * 

"SELAH NOETOK" 

In the above advertisement, it is stated that he had 
been kept at Springfield, which corroborates the state- 
ment of John Morgan. 

The fact that True Briton was stolen from General 



120 THE MORGAN" HORSE. 

De Lancey, at King's Bridge, seems to admit of little 
doubt, for the story is confirmed by many persons 
living in Connecticut, who well recollect the occurrence, 
and we have never heard but one version of the story 
in all its main features, though told by many different 
individuals. 

The striking harmony that may be noticed between 
these accounts of the manner in which True Briton 
was brought into Connecticut, is very strong evidence 
of their correctness ; and the harmony is itself accounted 
for, by the singular manner in which he was obtained. 

Such a fact, as the stealing of a valuable horse from 
a British officer, and escaping with him, was no every- 
day occurrence. It would be known to all the sur- 
rounding country in a very short time, and the man 
who stole him, instead of being shunned as a thief, 
would be respected as the hero of a successful foray 
into the enemy's country. 

The fact that the horse was a valuable one, and was, 
after a time, kept for a stock horse, in that section of 
the country, would tend to keep alive in the minds of 
those who knew him, the singular circumstances of his 
coming into the countr}^ Although Mr. John Morgan 
does not assert that True Briton, or Beautiful Bay, 
was sired by Traveller, yet it is plain that he believed 
him to be : and Mr. Korton, in the advertisement just 
quoted, distinctly states it. To this statement it may 
be objected, that Norton might have been in error, 
for admitting that the horse was stolen from De Lan- 
cey, it is not likely that Norton could have obtained a 
written voucher of his pedigree from his previous 
owners; for horse thieves, though they often manifest 



ITS ORIGIN. 121 

excellent judgment in the choice of animals, jet thej 
rarely take much pains to secure their pedigree. But 
it must be remembered, that though the owners of True 
Briton may have had no written certificate of his 
pedigree from his breeder, yet there were many ways 
in which it could be established. De Lancey was a 
man of fortune and notoriety, and had many servants 
who would know as much of the pedigree of his favor- 
ite horse, as he did. 

Selah N'orton was, in early life, a man of property, 
and an enthusiastic admirer of fine horses. His inter- 
est in the horse would have prompted him to make 
every exertion to discover his pedigree, and that he 
did so seems evident, from the direct manner in which 
it is stated in the advertisement before mentioned, and 
also from the additional consideration, that such was 
generally believed to be the fact at that time, and so 
far as we can learn, was entirely undisputed. 

With regard to the dam of True Briton : Mr. Nor- 
ton asserts that she vv^as "Mr. De Lancey 's imported 
racer." We believe there is no record of any impor- 
tation of such an animal by De Lancey, except the 
celebrated Cub mare, which he brought from England 
with Wild-air. But had True Briton been sired by 
Traveller, and foaled by the Cub mare, he could hardly 
have escaped being noticed by " The American Farmer," 
or "Turf Register," espscially as the produce of the Cub 
maro was published in the Register, though not until 
many years after. 

While it may be doubted if the Cub mare were the 
dam of True Briton^ or even whether his dam was 
imported, it seems to us altogether probable that she 
6 



122 THE MOKGAN HOUSE. 

was a high-bred animal, for an officer of De Lancej^a 
rank, wealth, and taste for horses, would not only have 
been "well mounted," but he would not have been 
likely to use for the saddle a horse not highly-bred, 
especially as his father's stables gave ample scope for 
the selection of a fine animal of this description ; nor, 
on the other hand, is it probable that he rode a stallion 
whose pedigree could be traced, on the side of both 
sire and dam, through the best families of the English 
race-horse without a flaw, (as it could have been, had 
he been sired by Traveller, and his dam the Cub mare,) 
for such a horse, had he been a good riding animal, 
would have been very valuable, and highly prized by 
breeders of race horses, and would have been kept ex- 
clusively for stock. General De Lancey (v/e think he 
was a Colonel), from whom True Briton was stolen, 
was not (as has been sometimes supposed) the importer 
of AYild-air, Lath, the Cub mare, &c. ; these horses were 
imported by his father, James De Lancey, a son of 
Lieutenant-Governor James De Lancey, a wealthy and 
prominent man, and for many years a member of the 
General Assembly of the State of New- York ; he was 
an extensive breeder of race-horses, and owned many 
celebrated animals in addition to those we have men- 
tioned. He visited England in 1775, and the war soon 
after breaking out, he never returned. 

L. G. Morris, Esq., of Fordham, K Y.,in his "Sixth 
Catalogue of Domestic Animals," page 79, gives another 
account of the origin of True Briton. After giving 
an extract from John Morgan's letter, he says : " The 
other account I got in person, from Mr. Andrew Corsa, 
a near neighbor of mine, and ninety years old. Mr, 



ITS OHIGIN. 123 

Corsa resided within tlie lines and near King's Bridge, 
during the Revolution ; lie knew General De Lancey 
well, and also his horse which Smith stole from him 
at King's Bridge. 

"Upon direct inquiry of Mr. Corsa, upon whom I 
called with Mr. Howard of ' The Boston Cultivator,' ex- 
pressly to inquire as to the above horse, he stated he was 
blood bay of fine size and strength, and he had repeat- 
edly seen Gen. De Lancey jump him back and forth 
over a five-rail fence, for the amusement of bystanders, 
and that he understood him to have been a horse sent 
over from England." The only respect in which this 
account differs from the one we have given is, that 
Mr. Corsa says: "he understood him to be a horse sent 
over from England." It seems Mr. Corsa was ninety 
years old at the time he gave this information, and in 
estimating the value of his testimony, much allowance 
must be made for the infirmities of age, and the long 
time that had elapsed since the events of which he 
speaks transpired. So the nature of the different facts 
he states must be considered ; for Vv' hile the fact that 
a fine looking bay horse should be made to jump a 
five-rail fence, in the presence of a collection of people, 
would be likely, from its novelty and interest, to make 
a lasting impression on all who saw it ; yet few of the 
spectators, if informed of the pedigree of the horse at 
the time, would long remember it. 

So that even had Mr. Corsa stated that True Briton 
was an imported horse, it could hardly be allowed to 
weigh against the published statement of Mr. Norton, 
who was the owner of True Briton, and published his 
pedigree while the horse was in his prime, and when 



124 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

we cannot doubt that the fact of his having been im- 
ported could have been easily ascertained had it been 
the case. Nor can we for a moment suppose that Mr. 
Norton would fail to publish the fact, were it true, 
for he had abundant means of ascertaining, and the 
value of the animal as a stock horse would have 
been much enhanced could he have established it. 

But Mr. Corsa does not say that True Briton was 
an imported horse; he simply says he ''^understood him 
to have been a horse sent over from England," and 
certainly such a loose, general, and indefinite assertion 
made by a man of Mr. Corsa's age, concerning a matter 
some seventy years old, and a matter in which he had 
no direct interest, can be entitled to but little weight. 
Immediately after the passage we have already quoted 
from the catalogue of Mr. Morris, is the following sen- 
tence: "The 'Black Hawk,' and 'Morgan' of the 
present day seem to differ in appearance from the 
original stock, as they are rather on the pony order, 
and very seldom more than fifteen hands high." 

Mr. Morris is evidently mistaken as to the size of 
True Briton, for he manifestly believes him to have 
been a fine horse, y/hile, according to the standard 
he sets up, he was simply a po/?^?/, as it will be seen 
that Mr. Norton does not claim he was a fraction over 
fifteen hands high. 

Finally we repeat, that though the owners of True 
Briton in Connecticut may have had no written evi- 
dence of his pedigree from his breeder, yet they may 
have been able to satisfy themselves and the public 
that he was sired by Traveller, and from a highly- 
bred, if not an imported mare ; and it is very certain 



ITS ORIGIN. 125 

that sucli was generally believed to have been his 
origin. 

That he was a very valuable animal is evident from 
the price Ward paid for him, three hundred dollars 
being as extravagant a price for a carriage or saddle 
horse at that day as one thousand dollars would be 
now. 

With regard to the pedigTee of the dam of the Justin 
Morgan, the only statement we remember to have seen 
is that published by F. A. Weir, as we have already 
given it. K this pedigree is correct, the dam must 
have been at least three-eighths thorough-bred. But 
there is a grave mistake in the very first sentence of 
the account published by Mr. Wier, that very materi- 
ally diminishes the credit that might, perhaps, otherwise 
attach to the rest of the history. He says, " The dam 
of the Justin Morgan horse at the time he was sired, 
was owned by Justin Morgan himself, at Springfield, 
Mass., where he then lived ;" and he says (as was 
no doubt true), tliat he v/as foaled in 1793, conse- 
quently he was sired in 1792 ; but Mr. Morgan, as we 
have already shown, removed from Springfield to Ean- 
dolph, Yt., with his family, in 1788, and remained con- 
stantly at Randolph until 1793 ; and as he vras a poor 
man, and owned no real estate in Springfield, it is not 
likely that he owned and left any horses there. 

Mr. Weir says Mr. John Morgan describes the dam 
of the Justin Morgan as of the Wild-air breed, and 
this may have been so ; but some degree of doubt 
must necessarily attach to any statements made by 
persons of an advanced age, concerning the pedigree 
of animals possessing no remarkable qualities that 



126 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

did not belong to tliem, and that lived and died many 
years before. If this statement of Mr. Morgan was 
correct, it does not assert that the dam was thoron.gh- 
bred, it means simply that she had some of Wild-air's 
blood in her veins, just as we now say a mare is of the 
" Messenger breed," who may not have one-twentieth 
of Old Messenger's blood in her. 

If we may be allowed to judge of the correctness 
of this pedigree from the appearance of the descend- 
ants of the Justin Morgan, we should say there could 
be no reason to doubt his near relation to the thorough- 
bred or Arabian ; for even those who think least of 
the Morgan breed of horses, agree that they must have 
sprung from " rich high blood," as even the " distin- 
guished judge of horses from Yermont" admits it. 

It is thought by some that the dam of the Justin 
Morgan was a descendant of Lindsey's Arabian, which 
was imported into Connecticut in 1766, being then 
four years old. This idea seems to have been founded 
principally upon the resemblance of the Justin Morgan 
to the stock of that celebrated horse, and indeed we 
are not aware that there is any other ground for this 
opinion ; still it is entitled to some respect, for a close 
and striking resemblance between different animals 
in most of their leading characteristics, is certainly 
strong evidence of their relationship. There can be 
little question that there was a strong resemblance be- 
tween them. The descendants of the Lindsey Arabian 
were celebrated for their compactness, speed and en- 
durance, and for an exceedingly playful and tractable 
temper ; they were highly esteemed throughout Con- 
^aecticut and Massachusetts, and were most numerous 




■""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^J^t^ 



VERMONT. 




5 T R A X O E R , 



ITS ORIGIN". 127 

along tlie valley of Connecticut Eiver. Many of tlie 
cavalry engaged in tlie siege of Boston, in 1775 and 
1776, were mounted on these horses, and their extraor- 
dinary qualities attracted the notice of General Wash- 
ington. Acting upon his advice, Mr. Lindsey found 
and purchased the horse that has since borne his name, 
and took him to Virginia. Previous to this time he 
had been called Eauger. I^ot only had the stock of this 
horse become well and itivorably known in the locali- 
ties we have mentioned, but at that time a great deal 
of interest was manifested throughout the country in 
Arabian or thorough-bred stock, and it is evident that 
Eanger was, then, the sire of a very numerous progeny, 
or they would not have been in the army in sufficient 
numbers to attract the attention of the Commander-in- 
chief. It cannot, therefore, fairly be objected to this 
hypothesis, that the descendants of the Lindsey Arabian 
were too uncommon to render it probable. 

A strong resemblance to the Arabian, True Briton 
would derive through his sire, as few horses have been 
imported from England so nearly related to Arabians as 
was Morton's Traveller. He was foaled in 1748, and 
was imported to Yirglnia when about five years old. 
He was got by Croft's Partner. Partner was by Jigg, a 
son of the Byerly Turk, and his dam was by Curwen's 
Bay Barb, his g. dam was by Sport, and his g. g. dam 
hj the chestnut, white legged, Lowther Barb. The dam 
of Morton's Traveller was by Bloody Buttocks, an Ara- 
bian,- It has been often stated that Morton's Traveller 
was by 0' Kelly's Eclipse, his dam by King Herod, 
grand dam by Blank, great grand dam by Cade, and 
Cade by the Godolphin Arabian, &c. This, however, is 



128 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

a mistake, the latter pedigree being that of another 
*' Traveller" imported in 1797. This pedigree was pub- 
lished as the pedigree of Morton's Traveller in the 
third volume of the "American Turf Eegister," but 
was corrected in the seventh volume, and is also cor- 
rectly sta,ted in the fourth volume, page 43. 

It may be said, by some, that it is surprising nothing 
should be found among the papers of Justin Morgan 
relating in some way to this horse, and that we should 
expect the different owners of the horse would have 
made every effort to ascertain his pedigree, and that 
some of them would have succeeded, as at that time 
many persons must have been living in Massachusetts 
who at least knew his dam and her sire. 

The answer to the first objection is, that none of Justin 
Morgan's papers or books have been preserved in the 
family, not even a letter or a family bible. As before 
stated, his family was broken up in 1793 or 1794, and 
from that time until his death in 1798, he may be said 
to have had no home, but lived first in one neighbor- 
hood while he could fnid employment as a teacher, 
and then removing to some new field. At the time of 
his death, his children had not attained their major- 
ity, and there being no one to look after them, his 
papers (if he had any) were lost. Nor was it likely 
that he gave any written statement of his pedigree to 
some third person, for it must be remembered that he 
was not a farmer, or a breeder of horses, and he had 
not brought his horse to Vermont to improve the breed 
of horses there ; but he kept him to ride from school 
to school. 

Thus situated, it could not be expected that he would 



ITS ORIGIN". 129 

make any effort to bring him into favor witli his farm- 
ing neighbors by explaining his pedigree, and enlarg- 
ing upon the noble and extraordinary qualities of his 
ancestors. Still, as he had owned the horse since lie 
was two years old, he would know something of his 
pedigree, and would be apt occasionally to mention 
it to such persons as saw and admired his spirited colt. 
Finally, it must be remembered that Morgan died be- 
fore his horse had arrived at full maturity. 

The reason why no effort was earlier made to ascer- 
tain his pedigree by his owners, or others, was that for 
a long time he was not fully appreciated. After Mr. 
Morgan's death he passed into the hands of persons 
who had but a poor opinion of him, and instead of 
keeping him expressly for stock, put him to the sever- 
est kinds of labor, and it was not until several years 
had elapsed, and his colts began to be highly esteemed, 
that any inquiry was made as to his pedigree. So 
much time had then elapsed since he came into the 
countr}^, that it was then attended wdth much difBiculty ; 
and any one who has tried it, must bear witness, that 
tracing genealogies is one of the slowest and most per- 
plexing kinds of business. This, together with the 
want of any easy and rapid communication between dif- 
ferent parts of the country to facilitate inquiry, seems 
to have prevented any persistent search for the facts. 

"We have devoted more time and space to this sub- 
iect than may be thought advisable by some of our 
readers, as no pedigree, however perfectly it might be 
established, or how far back it might be traced, through 
any breed of horses, could enhance the value of the 
race at the present time ; for, as an intelligent writer 



130 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

has observed : " Before animals have produced pro- 
geny, the best evidence of what their progeny will be, 
is what their ancestors have been, because there is a 
tendency to breed back. Animals of the same blood, 
however, are not equally valuable as breeders ; hence, 
the surest evidence of the value of a breeding animal, 
is the character of the stock it produces. Thus the 
value of pedigree consists in affording, in advance, an 
indication of the value of an animal as a breeder, but 
the character of the offspring and descendants may be 
regarded as exhibiting the degree of value it possesses ; 
the one may be regarded as jirima facia evidence, the 
other as demonstrative." Pedigree is, however, valu- 
able in another respect, and cannot be too carefully 
preserved by breeders. By preserving the pedigrees 
of animals, we are enabled to see the result of the 
various crossings of different breeds and families ; can 
shun the errors of former generations, and take advan- 
tage of their success. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

MEMOIR AND DESCRIPTION OF THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 

The original, or Justin Morgan, was about fourteen 
hands liign, and weighed about nine hundred and fifty 
pounds. His color was dark-bay with black legs, 
mane and tail. He had no white hairs on him. His 
mane and tail were coarse and heavv, but not so mas- 
sive as has been sometimes described ; the hair of 
both was straight, and not inclined to curl. His head 
was good, not extremely small, but lean and bony, the 
face straight, forehead broad, ears small and very fine, 
but set rather wirle apart. His eyes were medium 
size, yerj dark and prominent, with a spirited but 
pleasant expression, and showed no white round the 
edge of the lid. His nostrils were yerj large, the 
muzzle small, and the lips close and firm. His back 
and legs were perhaps his most noticeable points. The 
former was very short ; the shoulder-blades and hip 
bones being very long and oblique, and the loins ex- 
ceedingly broad and muscular. His body was rather 
long, round and deep, close ribbed up ; chest deep and 
wide, with the breast-bone projecting a good deal in 
front. His legs were short, close jointed, thin, but 
very Avide, hard and free from meoi, with muscles that 
v/ere remarkably large for a horse of his size, and this 
superabundance of muscle exhibited itself at every 

(131) 



132 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Step. His hair was sliort, and at almost all seasons 
soft and glossy. He had a little long hair about the 
fetlocks, and for two or three inches above the fetlock 
on the back-side of the legs ; the rest of the limbs were 
entirely free from it. His feet were small but well 
shaped, and he was in every respect perfectly sound 
and free from any sort of blemish. He was a very 
fast walker. In trotting his gait was low and smooth, 
and his step short and nervous ; he was not what in 
these days would be called fast, and we think it doubt- 
ful whether he could trot a mile much if any within 
four minutes, though it is claimed by many that he 
could trot it in three. 

Although he raised his feet but little, he never stum- 
bled. His proud, bold and fearless style of movement, 
and his vigorous, untiring action, have, perhaps, never 
been surpassed. When a rider was on him, he was 
obedient to the slightest motion of the rein, would 
walk backwards rapidly under a gentle pressure of the 
bit, and moved side- ways almost as willingly as he 
moved forward ; in short, was perfectly trained to all 
the paces and evolutions of a parade horse ; and when 
ridden at military reviews (as was frequently the 
case), his bold, imposing style, and spirited, nervous 
action, attracted universal attention and admiration. 
He was perfectly gentle and kind to handle, and loved 
to be groomed and caressed, but he disliked to have 
children about him, and had an inveterate hatred for 
dogs, if loose always chasing them out of sight the in- 
stant he saw them. 

When taken out with halter or bridle he was in con- 
stant motion, and very playful. 



THE JUSTIN MOEGAN. 133 

He was a fleet runner at sliort distances. Eunning 
horses sliort distances for small stakes was very com- 
mon in Vermont fifty years ago. Eighty rods was 
very generally the length of the course, which usually 
commenced at a tavern or grocery, and extended the 
distance agi^eed upon, up or down the public road. In 
these races the horses were started from a "'scratch," 
that is, a mark was drawn across the road in the dirt, 
and the horses, ranged in a row upon it, went off at 
"the drop of a hat" or some other signal. It will 
be observed that the form of the Justin Morgan was 
not such as in our days is thought best calculated to 
give the greatest speed for a short distance. Those who 
believe in long-legged racers will think his legs, body 
and stride, were all too short, and to them it may per- 
haps seem surprising that Le should be successful, as 
he invariablv was, in such contests. But we think his 
great muscular development and nervous energy, com- 
bined with his small size, gave him a decided advantage 
in the first start over taller and heavier horses ; just as 
any ordinary horse can distance the finest locomotive in 
a ten rod race. At all events, the history of racing in 
this country and in England, proves conclusively, that 
small horses may have great speed. In such a race a 
horse of great spirit and nervous energy derives a decided 
advantage from these qualities, especially after being a 
little accustomed to such struggles. When brought up 
to the line, his eyes flash and his ears quiver with intense 
excitement, he grinds the bit with his teeth, his hind legs 
are drawn under him, every muscle of his frame trembles, 
and swells almost to bursting, and at the given signal 
he goes off like the springing of a- steeltrap. His un- 



134 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

varying success in these short races may perhaps 
be partly accounted for in this way, though he was 
undoubtedly possessed of more than ordinary speed, 
and was a sharp runner. 

Among the many races of this description that he 
ran, were two in 1796, at Brookfield, Yt., one with a 
horse called Sweepstakes from Long Island, and the 
other with a horse called Silver Tail from St. Law- 
rence Co., New York, both of these he beat with ease. 
Mr. Morgan (who then owned him) offered to give the 
owner of Silver Tail two more chances to win the 
stake, which was fifty dollars, by walking or trotting 
the horses for it, which was declined. There are many 
accounts of other races which he ran and won, but 
these accounts not fully agreeing as to the details, we 
have not mentioned them. 

In harness the Justin Morgan was quiet but full of 
spirit, an eager and nimble traveller, but patient iu 
bad spots ; and although for along time steadily engaged 
in the heavy work of a new farm, his owner at that 
time informs us that he never knew him refuse to 
draw as often as he was required to, but he pithily 
adds: " I didn't very often have to ask him but once, 
for whatever he was hitched to generally had to come 
the first time trying." This uniform kindness at a pull, 
was one of the striking characteristics of the horse, and 
the same trait may be observed in the greater part of his 
descendants. " Pulling matches " and " pulling bees," 
were as common in those days as short races, and the 
*' little horse," as he was often called, became quite 
celebrated for his unvarying willingness to do his best, 
and for his great power at what is called a '' dead lift." 



THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 185 

The following letter from Solomon Steele, Esq., of 
Derbj, Vt., a gentleman who has devoted a great deal 
of time and money to the improvement of horses in 
his vicinity, and who, notwithstanding the apathy of 
some, and the opposition of others, now enjoys the 
pleasure of seeing his precepts adopted, and his exam- 
ple followed by his neighbors, to their great advantage, 
and the eqnal improvement of their stock, will be read 
with interest : 

"Derby Line, Yt., March 12th, 1856. 
" D. C. LiNSLEY, Esq. 

'■'■Dear Sir : — ^I am in receipt of yours of the 1st 
inst., renewing your request that I should favor you 
with such information as I may possess, in relation to 
the early history of the founder of that breed of horses, 
which have, at length, become so distinguished as to 
be called the 'best in the world,' and known as Mor- 
gans. 

"I have not the vanity to presume that I can dis- 
close any material facts relative to this subject, but, at 
your request, I will mention some incidents connected 
with the early history of this horse, which if not of 
great importance, may not be void of interest. It has 
been my privilege, in early life, to often see the original 
Morgan horse, called by this name from the fact that 
Justin Morgan brought him to Eandolph, Vt., from 
Massachusetts, in the autumn of 1795. Mr. Morgan 
intended to apply him to the payment of a note held 
against him, but not being able to obtain what he con- 
sidered a reasonable price for him, and having no 
keeping for him, he let him to a man by the name of 



136 THE MOKGAN HORSE. 

Eobert Evans, for one year, for the sum of fifteen dol- 
lars. Immediately after this, Evans undertook the job 
of clearing fifteen acres of heavy -timbered land for a 
Mr. Fisk, and before the first of June following, had 
completed the job, with no other team but this colt, 
though not regarded as a ' salable horse.'' 

" While Evans was engaged in piling this timber, 
the remarkable powers of this horse, it would seem, 
were in a measure developed, as he was then found 
able to out-draw, out- walk, out-trot, or out run every 
horse that was matched against him. An instance was 
related to me by Mr. ISTathan '^JQ., who was an eye- 
witness, and whose testimony was never questioned. 
I noted it at the time, and will relate it in his own 
words : 

" 'At the time Evans had this horse, a small tavern, 
a grist-mill, and saw-mill were in operation on the 
branch of White Eiver, in Eandolph, and at this place 
the strength of men and horses in that settlement, were 
generally tested. -On one occasion' (says Nye), 'I 
went to these mills, where I spent most of a day, and 
during the time, many trials were had, for a small 
wager, to draw a certain pine log, which lay some ten 
rods from the saw-mill. 

" *Some horses were hitched to it that would weigh 
twelve hundred pounds, but not one of them could 
move it its length. About dusk, Evans came down 
from his logging field, which was near by, and I told 
him the particulars of the di\awing match. Evans re- 
quested me to show him the log, which I did ; he then 
ran back to the tavern and challenged the company to 
bet a gallon of rum, that he could not draw the log 



THE JUSTIN MOEGAN. 137 

fairly on to the logway, at three pulls with his colt. 
The challenge was promptly accepted, and each having 
"taken a glass," the whole company went down to the 
spot. 

"'Arrived on the ground, Evans says: "I am 
ashamed to hitch my horse to a little log like that, but 
if three of you will get on and ride, if I don't draw it, 
I will forfeit the rum." Accordingly, three of those 
least able to stand were placed upon the log. I was 
present with a laatern, and cautioned those on the log 
to look out for their legs, as I had seen the horse draw 
before, and knew sometliing had got to come. At the 
word of command the horse started, log and men, and 
went more than half of the distance before stopping. 
At the next pull, he landed his load at the spot agreed 
upon, to the astonishm.ent of all present. 

" ' Not many days after this, the beaten party pro- 
posed to Evans to run a certain horse against his, 
eighty rods for another gallon. Evans accepted, went 
from his work, and matched his horse against four 
different horses the same evening, and beat them all 
with ease.' 

"Thus early in the history of the Morgan horse it 
was an admitted fact, that however small, he could not 
be beaten, where strength, speed, and endurance were 
the test. When we see this same animal driven in 
harness, or ridden by the aged and infirm with perfect 
safety and confidence, and next see him at a military 
review, mounted by the commander-in-chief, and dis- 
playing all the fire and pride imaginable ; and after 
the lapse of nearly fifty years, witnessing the same re- 
markable traits in many of his descendants, we are 



138 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

constrained to admit, that hlood is, indeed, of no small 
importance in the business of liorse-breeding. It should 
be well understood, that throughout the long life of 
the Justin Morgan (as well as that of his immediate 
offspring), want of size was the universal objection. 
No man of ordinary judgment could fail to discover 
his peculiar points of excellence, his oblique shoulders, 
high crest, fine ear, prominent and sagacious eye, per- 
fect head, large and expanded nostrils, strong loins, 
long hip, deep and well-spread chest, high withers, 
short pasterns, strong and sinewy limbs, with all the 
important muscles far surpassing in size those of any 
other horse of his weight ever seen in America. The 
flict that this horse has contributed more than any 
other animal ever did, to the wealth of the United 
States, no honest man will deny, but strange to say, 
in the face of all this, the cry is still heard, too smaV^ 
too small. This reminds us of the man who sold his 
hen, because she was too small^ although she daily laid 
eggs of gold. We rejoice, however, that we live in a 
day when intelligent men cannot so easily be made the 
dupes of interested parties. The farming community 
are thinking and acting with more care and attention 
than formerly, they are disposed to profit by past ex- 
perience, they are more close observers of cause and 
effect, and it is our firm conviction, that the man who 
is doing most to foster and encourage this principle, is 
the world's greatest benefactor." 

Through life the Justin Morgan was steadily em- 
ployed in the heavy work incident to the cultivation 
of a new and mountain country, and was often engaged 
in similar matches to those just mentioned. Even at 



THE JUSTIN MOEGAK. 139 

the age of fifteen we find him entered at a drawing 
match that took place at Gen. Butler's tavern, in St. 
Johnsbary. Some of his opponents are described by 
persons present as large, heavy horses, yet they were 
all beaten by the Justin. We mention these facts to 
show the great muscular development of the horse, and 
his kind and tractable temper, rather than as an evi- 
dence of his value for purposes of heavy draught ; for, 
although the power of an animal in starting a given 
weight depends more upon his form and muscular de- 
velopment than upon mere size, yet size is indispens- 
able to enable a horse to move off easily upon the road 
with a heavy load. 

The quietness and exceedingly pleasant temper of 
the Justin Morgan, is strikingly evidenced by the fact 
that he was often ridden and driven by ladies. A lady 
of St. Johnsbury- once told us she remembered his 
appearance perfectly, and had repeatedly ridden him, 
when a girl, to balls and other parties, and spoke with 
much enthusiasm of his noble appearance, his high 
spirit, and perfect docility. 

It is exceedingly difficult to obtain accurate informa- 
tion respecting the changes in owners that occurred to 
the horse at different times. To account for this uncer- 
tainty, we must consider that his fame has been almost 
entirel}^ posthumous, that although the champion of 
his neighborhood, he was little valued, on account of 
his small size ; and it was not until after his death, and 
his descendants were exhibiting the powers of their 
sire, in speed, strength, and endurance, in almost every 
village of Eastern Vermont, that people began to- 
realize they had not properly appreciated him. For 



140 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

tliis reason, little notice was taken, at tliat time, of mny 
change of owners, and many persons wlio very well 
recollect the horse, recollect nothing of these changes ; 
and those who claim to recollect them, disagree much 
as to the dates at which his several owners purchased 
him. 

We have made every exertion to collect the most 
reliable information in relation to this subject, but from 
the difficulties just mentioned, we fear our chronology 
may not prove perfectly accurate, but believe it to be 
in the main correct, and sufficiently so for all practical 
purposes, as the subject derives its chief importance 
from the curiosity felt in relation to it, by those inter- 
ested in his descendants. 

As we have before stated, Mr. Morgan used him 
almost exclusively as a riding horse, though he broke 
him to harness and occasionally u.sed him in that way. 
After Mr. Morgan's death, he was sold by the estate to 
William Eice, of Woodstock, Yt. Mr. Eice used him 
in the ordinaiy work of his farm for about two years, 
or until 1800 or 1801, when Eobt. Evans (who had 
been constantly on the watch for an opportunity to 
purchase, since he hired him of Mr. Morgan) bought 
him. Mr. Evans was a poor man, with a large family, 
and was what is called a great worker. In addition to 
the work upon his own place, he was constantly under- 
taking jobs for his neighbors — clearing land, hauling 
logs, building fence, &c., &c. The "little horse" was 
!Mr. Evans' only team, and of course his labor was very 
severe. Mr. Evans kept him three or four years, or 
until 1804, when he was sued for debt ; Col. John Goss 
became his bail, took the horse for security, and finally 



THE JUSTIN MOKGAN. 141 

paid the debt and kept liim. Mr. John Goss was not 
much of a horseman, and therefore took the horse to 
his brother, David Goss, of St. Johnsbury, who was 
quite a horseman, and made arrangements with him 
to keep him for a stock horse. After David had kept 
him a year, he was so much pleased with him that 
he exchanged a fine mare with his brother for him, 
adding cash or other property. The horse in this trade 
was valued at one hundred dollars. Mr. David Goss 
kept him seven years, or until 1811, and it was while 
owned by him that the Hawkins, Fenton, and Sherman 
horses were sired. Mr. Goss kept him almost con- 
stantly at work on his farm, with the exception of about 
two months in the spring of each year. While his 
property, although put to hard work, the horse was not 
overworked or abused, but was properly treated and 
cared for. David Goss sold him to his son Phillip, and 
some of his colts about Eandolph having gTown up and 
proved valuable^ there was some inquiry for the horse 
in that vicinity, and he was accordingly taken back to 
that town. This was in 1811. He was now nineteen 
years old, and those who owned him at different times 
after this, generally seemed eager to get rid of him, 
for fear he should die on their hands. Immediately 
after his return to Eandolph, he seems to have been 
taken care of by Eobt. Evans, his former owner, for it 
was during this year that BuUrush was sired, and he 
was at that time in the possession of Mr. Evans. Soon 
after this, or in the autumn of 1811, Phillip Goss sold 
him to Jacob Sanderson ; Sanderson sold him to a Mr. 
Langmade, who used the old horse hard, considering 
his age. He worked him some time in a six-horse 



142 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

team, hauling freiglit from Windsor to Chelsea. Under 
this treatment he became thin and poor, and was pur- 
chased for a trifle by Mr. Chelsea, and shortly after sold 
by him to Joel Goss, of Claremont, N. li. Mr. Goss 
kept him one year, and sold him to Mr. Samuel Stone, 
of Eandolph. Mr. Stone kept him two or three years, 
or until 1819, when he sold him, and he soon after 
became the property of Levi Bean, Avho owned him 
until his death, which happened in the winter of 1821, 
at the farjn of Clifford Bean, situated about three miles 
south of the village of Chelsea, Yt. 

At twenty-nine years of age, no cause need be as- 
signed for his death but the ravages of time and the 
usual infirmities of years ; but old age Avas not the im- 
mediate cause of his death. He was not stabled, but 
was running loose in an open yard with other horses, 
and received a kick from one of them in the flank ; ex- 
posed without shelter to the inclemency of a northern 
winter, inflammation set in and he died. Before re- 
ceiving the hurt which caused his death, he was per- 
fectly sound, and entirely free from any description of 
blemish. His limbs were perfectly smooth, clean, free 
from any swelling, and perfectly limber and supple. 

Those persons who saw him in 1819 and 1820, 
describe his appearance as remarkably fresh and youth- 
ful. Age had not quenched his spirit, nor damped the 
ardor of his temper ; years of severest labor had not 
sapped his vigor, nor broken his constitution ; his eye 
was still bright, and his step firm and elastic. 

However various may be the opinions different per- 
sons may entertain respecting the merits of the Justin 
Morgan, we doubt whether any horse can be instanced, 



THE JUSTIN MORGAN. 143 

in tliis or any other conntrj, that has so strikingly im- 
pressed upon his descendants, to the fifth and sixth 
generations, his own striking and valuable character- 
istics ; and it may be safely asserted that the stock of 
no horse ever bred in this country has proved so gener- 
ally and largely profitable to the breeders of it. The 
raising of it has made the fortunes of hundreds of indi- 
viduals, and added hundreds of thousands, if not 
millions of dollars, to the wealth of Vermont and New 
Hampshire. 



CHAPTER YII. 

HISTORY AND DESCEIPTION OF THE STALLIONS SIRED BY THE 
JUSTIN MORGAN. 

It has frequently been asserted that but four stal- 
lions were kept for stock that were sired by the Justin 
Morgan — namely, Bulrush, Sherman, Woodbury, and 
Revenge. The first we remember to have seen of this 
statement in print was in a published letter from F. A. 
Weir, of Walpole, New Hampshire, that appeared in 
the 'Albany Cultivator," vol. iii., page 19 ; but it may 
have been published before, and Mr. Weir may have 
only copied it. Since that time it has been printed in 
many different papers, and by some has been printed 
in a way that in effect endorses it, and has thus given 
such currency to it, that it is credited by a great many 
persons who have a pretty good knowledge of the 
history of Morgan horses, but do not happen to know 
of any other stallions kept from the Justin Morgan, 
except those above mentioned. 

Thus they are readily led to believe the assertion, as 
it exactly coincides with their own knowledge on the 
subject; it does not stop short of what they know, and 
it goes no farther ; but however generally this may 
have been believed, it is very certain that it is a mis- 
take. 

Nothing can be more natural than such an error, as, 
if it were true, it would be nearly if not quite impossi- 
ai4) 



SONS OF THE JUSTIN. l-io 

ble to prove it ; for to do this, it is necessary to sliow 
what was the character, and history until they were 
grown, of all and each,, of the colts sired by the Justin 
Morgan, through a period of twenty -five years, during 
which time he was owned by many different individ- 
uals, and kept at man}^ different places. This we be- 
lieve cannot be shovfn. It will at once be seen that 
the task of substantiating the pedigree of any given 
number of his colts, is an easy one, compared with that 
of demonstrating that there were no m.ore. Therefore, 
while we shall describe the horses mentioned by Mr. 
Weir, and also two others, we shall not venture the 
assertion that but six stallions were kept from the 
Justin Morgan ; indeed, we do not believe that such 
was the fact ; on the contrary, we have no doubt there 
were others, and we can only say, that we have been 
able to obtain no authentic account of more than 
six. 

Between all the stallions left by him there was a 
very close and striking resemblance, in size, form, and 
general character, and they also bore equal resemblance 
to their sire ; indeed, the power of transmitting to his 
progeny his own form, constitution and temperament, 
was a very distinguishing trait of the Justin Morgan, 
and we believe no horse ever lived that possessed in a 
higher degree the power of stamping upon his offspring 
his own great leading characteristics. 

Although it is not true that only four stallions were 
kept from the old horse, yet it is true that but four of 
them became celebrated, and of these four, one (Re- 
venge) derives his chief celebrity from the association 
of his name with those of Sherman, AYoodbury, and 
7 



146 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Bulrush. Not that he nor the others we shall mention 
were necessarily less valuable than the three just 
named, but accidents of location and ownership will 
often prevent the most valuable animals from becom- 
ing well and favorably known. 

The important features that characterized the Justin 
Morgan, his compactness of form, his high and gener- 
ous spirit, combined with the most perfect gentleness 
and tractability ; his bony, sinev/y limbs, his lofty style, 
and easy but vigorous action, were strongly and strik- 
ingly impressed upon his offspring. Not only did his 
valuable qualities descend unimpaired to the next gen- 
ration, but apparently with little diminution to the 
second and third ; and thus it is that Avhere pains have 
been taken to select both sires and dams, possessing 
most of his blood and characteristics, young colts ma}' 
now be found that closely resemble him in all import- 
ant respects, except size, in which there has been a 
decided increase. We have stated our belief that there 
were more than six horses kept as stallions, but we 
think it doubtful whether any stock can be traced to 
the Fenton horse, and but very little is descended from 
Kevenge or the Hawkins horse. 

The Hawkins horse was foaled in 1806, or 1807, the 
property of Mr. Melvin, of St. Johnsbury, Yt. He 
was sired by the Justin Morgan, his dam was a ba}^ 
about fifteen hands high, of fine form and excellent 
action. She was sired by a black horse brought from 
Connecticut, and said to have been an imported 
thorough-bred racer, but it is not probable that he vf as, 
as we can find no record of any such importation near 



HAWKINS HORSE. 147 

that time, or sufficiently near to render it probable tlaat 
bis dam could bave been sired by sucb a borse. 

"When tbree years old, Mr. Melvin sold bim to Olney 
Hawkins, a near neigbbor. Hawkins was Captain of a 
troop, and be bougbt tbe colt to use as a parade borse. 
After keeping bim five or six years, be sold bim to bis 
brotber Stepben. Stepben kept bim two years at St. 
Jobnsbury, and tben took bim to Stanstead, Canada 
East. Here tbe borse remained a few years, and left 
some stock. From Stanstead be was taken to Upper 
Canada, but after tbis we are unable to trace bim, and 
do not know wbere be was kept or wben be died. He 
was a jet black, about fifteen bands bigb, not quite so 
compact as bis sire, a little taller, and a very little 
beavier. His sboulders, back and loins, were excellent. 
He carried bis bead bigb, bad a bold, resolute, and 
vigorous style of action, and was undoubtedly tbe 
fastest borse of tbe six ; be was a smart trotter, and a 
good runner. His eye was a little fierce in its expres- 
sion, and be was inclined to be cross, and not so tract- 
able as tbe rest. He was one of tbe best acting and 
finest-looking borses under tbe saddle ever in tbe State. 

Tbe Fenton borse was foaled in 1808, tbe property 
of Kicbard Fenton, of St. Jobnsbury, Vt. He was 
sired by tbe Justin Morgan ; dam, a bay of unknown 
blood, nor can we learn any particulars of any import- 
ance respecting ber form and style, except tbat sbe was 
well known in tbe neigbborbood as an excellent ani- 
mal. He was a beautiful blood bay, witb black legs, 
mane, and tail ; and about fourteen and a balf bands 
bigb. He very closely resembled bis sire, was very 



148 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

compact and muscular, had the same nervous and vig- 
orous action, the same lofty and fearless style, and we 
are inclined to think was one of the best, if not the best, 
of the Justin's colts. There were but few colts left by 
him, as Avhen six years old he bit his owner quite 
severely, and he had him castrated. We cannot learn 
that any of his colts were kept as stallions. 

Eevenge was foaled in 1815, the property of Cyrus 
Moore, of Claremont, K. II. Sired by Justin Morgan. 
Dam, a light brown with a white stripe in the face, and 
white hind feet ; she was a smart driver, but did not 
carry her head high ; nor did she have a good gait, as 
she sometimes paced. Her sire is not known ; her 
dam was bay with white in the face, and was owned 
by Mr. Ball, of Unity, IN". H. She paced a good deal, 
but was very smart. Nothing is known of her sire or 
dam, but she was called at that time a " Narragansett 
pacer." 

Mr. Moore sold Eevenge the autumn after he was 
two years old to Kehemiah Eice. Mr. Eice kept him 
two or three years, and sold him to a Mr. Tyler, and 
he kept him in the vicmity of Claremont until nine 
years old, when Mr. Closes Wheeler, of Claremont, pur- 
chased a half interest in him, and tlie next season pur- 
chased the other half. After keeping him one year, 
Mr. Wheeler sold him, and he passed through many 
different hands. He was kept near Connecticut river 
at Claremont, Croj^don, Cornish, Wethersfield, and 
intermediate points. In 1835 or 1836, he became the 
property of Edwin Billings, of Claremont, who kept 
lum until he died. lu April, 1837, Mr. Billings drovo 



REVENGE. 149 

him to Chester, Yt., intending to go to the -western 
part of the State, but here the horse was taken sick 
and died suddenly. 

Eevenge was a dark bay, or light brown. In the 
spring after shedding his coat he might almost be called 
a black, but in the winter he was often called a bay ; he 
was about fourteen and a half hands high, and weighed 
fully one thousand pounds ; he had less action than 
either Woodbury or Sherman ; but he had a very close- 
knit form, with excellent back, loins, hips, and limbs ; 
his chest and shoulders were not so fine as some of the 
others, nor did he have a very smooth, easy gait, but 
he never paced nor hitched. He had plenty of life, 
great endurance, and, as one of his owners said to us, 
" he was an ugly customer to get away from on the 
road." His stock were dark bay or brown, and occa- 
sionally chesnut. They had good size, were strong, 
hardy, and enduring ; generally free drivers, but had 
not as easy action nor as good style as the stock from 
the others ; and some of them would both pace and trot. 
When a colt, Eevenge was frightened by the breaking 
of some portion of his harness or carriage, and ran 
away. From the effects of this fright he never fully 
recovered, and if driven single would pull hard when 
a little excited, but we have not heard of his ever run- 
ning, except on the occasion just mentioned. He was 
perfectly sound. 

Of his colts, we have been able to learn of but one 
that was kept a stallion. It was a very dark chestnut, 
about fifteen hands high, and weighed about ten hundred 
and fifty pounds. In 1853 he Avas owned by Mr. John 
Clark, at Dimham, Canada East, and we think w 



150 THE -?HORGAN HORSE. 

raised by him at Windsor, Vt., wliere lie formerly 
lived. This horse had an excellent, open gait, fine style, 
and was called the fastest horse in his neighborhood. 
As it has been stated that the dam of Revenge was 
white, we have taken much pains to obtain the most 
reliable information upon this point, and have visited 
several persons who knew her well for years, and 
knew the colt "Eevenge" from the time he was foaled 
until he died, and without a single exception they 
describe her color as we have stated it. 

Sherman was foaled in 1808 or 1809, the property 
of James Sherman, of Lyndon, Yt. It has been said, 
that Sherman was foaled in 1810, and it has also been 
said that he was foaled in 1811. It is not at all surpris- 
ing that his age should be understated by a year or two, 
as the horse who lives to be more than ten years old, 
loses nothing so easily as one or two years of his age. 

Our reasons for stating his age as we have, are these : 
Mr. George Sherman, son of James Sherman, informs 
us that he has now been married forty-five years, and 
that in the summer after he was married, his father let 
him take the horse, then a colt, to keep and use. Mr. 
Sherman's wife also well recollects the above facts, but 
neither of them can say positively whether the colt 
was two or three years old, though both of them tJiinh 
he was three ; and from the fact that Mr. Sherman used 
him a good deal that summer, it seems most probable 
that such was his age. Sherman was sired by the 
Justin. With regard to the blood of his dam, much 
has been said and a good deal written, but we think 
little is actually known. 



SHERMAN. 151 

Mr. George Sherman says, liis father brouglit the mare 
from Cranston, Ehode Island, to Lyndon, Vermont; 
that she was a chestnut, of good size, high spirited, and 
an "elegant" animal; "we called her of Spanish 
breed." 

The late Hon. Epaphras Seymour, of Brattleboro', 
Yt., a gentleman of fortune and high standing, and 
passionately fond of horses, spent much time in endeav- 
oring to ascertain the pedigree and early histor}^ of 
the Justin Morgan and his descendants. Among the 
memorandums left by him, now in possession of the 
Hon. F. Holbrook, which the latter gentleman has 
kindly permitted us to examine, we find the following : 
" Matthevf Allen, of Guildhall, now seventy years old 
or over, informs me that James Sherman and himself 
came from Ehode Island to St. Johnsbury, in 1799 ; 
before they left, Mr. John Brown, of Providence, gave 
Mr. Sherman an imported English mare, of great 
beauty, a fine saddle-mare, and so used by his daugh- 
ters (she was then spavined); she was a mahogany 
brown, 15 1-2 hands high, delicate make." Mr. Allen 
goes on to state, that this mare was the dam of the 
Sherman. 

Mr. S. C. Gibbs, of Littleton, Kew Hampshire, who 
purchased the horse of Mr. James Sherman, gives the 
following account of the dam : " She was bought at the 
South (I think in Virginia), b}^ Mr. John Sherman, of 
Providence, Pdiode Lland, who had friends in that 
State. He purchased her for her beaut}^ and speed. 
Soon after he returned with her, she unfortunately 
slipped her hip. He then gave her to his brother James, 
of Lyndon." 



152 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

It has also been said that the dam was long 
owned by Nicholas Brown, of Providence, Ehode 
Island, one of the well-known firm of Brown & Ives, 
formerly a large importing house. Mr. George Sherman 
says, his father bought the mare of Doctor Fiske, of 
Cranston, Ehode Island. It is of little consequence 
which of these accounts is correct, as none of them un- 
dertake to give her pedigree. If either had made an 
attempt to do this, the question would have possessed 
more interest and some importance. It certainly con- 
cerns us little to know, in what manner, or from whom, 
Mr. Sherman obtained her, if we cannot go beyond that 
and learn something of her pedigree. We are inclined 
to think the statement of Mr. Sherman entitled to the 
most credit, because we think his means of knowing the 
facts of wkich he speaks were much superior to the others. 
His father used the horse several years, valued him 
highly, and was often interrogated as to the dam. 
George must have often heard his father describe the 
circumstances under which, he obtained her ; they nmst 
have been well known in the family, nnd the constantly 
increasing fame of the horse would keep alive in its 
members the recollection of them, as related by James 
Sherman. Mr. George Sherman is a man, whose 
cliaracter for the most unwavering honesty has been 
long and thoroughly established, where he is known. 

Whoever may have bred the mare, and whether of 
Spanish or English descent, it is certain she was a fine 
animal. She was chestnut, with three white feet, and 
a white stripe in the face. Her head was gOod, ears 
small, neck light and rather long ; not very compactly 
formed and never "carried much flesh." She carried 



SHERMAN. 153 

her head, high, was a spirited traveller, and an excellent 
saddle beast. She was very pleasant tempered, and 
worked kindly in all places. 

" Sherman" was a bright chestnut, about thirteen and 
tliree-quarters hands high, and weighed nine hundred 
nnd twenty -five pounds. His off hind-leg was white 
f;-oin the foot halfway to the hock, and he had a small 
white stripe in the face ; his head was lean and well 
shaped, ears small and fine, ejes inclined to be small, 
but full, prominent and lively; his legs had some long 
hairs upon the back-side, but were broad, flat and 
sinewy. He had a capital chest, with the breast-bone 
very prominent; the shoulders were large and well 
placed, the neck excellent, the mane and tail full, but 
not remarkably heavy. His hips were long and deep^ 
the loins broad and muscular, but he was a little hollow 
or "sway -backed ;^' still, no suspicion of a weak back 
could attach to him, or he would have broken down 
under the rough treatment he received in early life. 
"When four years old, Mr. Sherman put him to hard 
work, and though for about two months in the spring 
of each year he worked but little, yet the remainder of 
the year his labor was very severe. Mr. Sherman was 
a hard working man, and animals under his charge had 
few opportunities to rest. Most of the year the horse 
was kept constantly at work on the farm, much of which 
he helped to " clear up." In the winter, Mr. Sherman 
usually ran a team steadily from Lyndon, Yermont, to 
Portland, Maine. For several years, this team consisted 
of this horse, and a half brother, sired by the Justin 
Morgan, a year older and a little larger than Sherman. 

Mr. Sherman was not a man to be outdone at drawing 



154 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

or driving, and lie was always ready to match his 
team against any lie met, either to draw or run, for a 
trifling wager. His "little team "became famous at 
every inn from Lyndon to Portland, and after a time 
the teamsters that knew them were afraid to match 
horses of any size against them. In the spring, when 
the sleighing became poor, the men who had been com- 
panions through the winter in the severe labor of team* 
ing across the country, would often congregate at the 
village taverns, to spin yarns of their simple but rough 
adventures, engage in wrestling, running foot and horse 
races, drawing matches, and many games invented to 
test the speed or strength of either men or horses. In 
addition to these attractions, the prospect of a social 
glass of " Old Santa Cruz," may have had some influ- 
ence in drawing together the people collected on these 
occasions, for it Vv'as at that time considered a pleasant 
beverage, and it was not generally known to be a subtle 
poison. Certain it is that these games Avere well at- 
tended, and were conducted with much spirit. Drawing 
matches were at that time very common. At Lyndon, 
the usual way of drawing was to attach a horse to a 
sled, fill it with men, and draw the load up a steep hill 
just north of the tavern. ^^^Vhen each his utmost 
strength had shoivn,^^ Sherman would add a small boy 
to the largest load and commence the ascent, well satis- 
fled if he could gain two or three feet at a pull, for 
nothing discouraged his horse, and it was dif&cult to 
load him so that he could not move a little. These 
facts are perfectly well known to many persons now 
living at Lyndon, and v^e mention thein, not from 
any intrinsic interest they may possess, but having 



SHERMAN". 155 

said that Sherman was slightly hollow-backed, we 
thought it necessary to show, that if so, his back was 
b}^ no mccins weak. 

Such was tho kind of service to which ]\Ir. Sher- 
man put his horse from the time he was four years 
old until he Avas about ten, when he sold him to 
Stephen C. Gibbs, of Littleton, New Hampshire, in 
1819. Mr. Gibbs kept him one year, and sold him 
to John Buckminster, of Danville, Yermont, but Air. 
Gibbs had charge of liim two years longer. After 
this, he was kept at Danville and vicinity until 1829, 
when he was purchased of Mr. Buckminster by Mr. 
John Eellovrs, of Lancaster, IST. II. The summer of 
1829 he was kept at Littleton, N. II., in charge of 
Stephen C. Gibbs ; in 1830 he was kept at Dover and 
vicinity ; in 1831 he was at Col. Jaques' Ten Hills 
Farm, Charlestown, M'"ass. ; in 1832 he was at Dover, 
and Durham, IST. H. ; in 1833 he was kept at Lancaster, 
ISr. II. ; and in 183-1, at Dover and vicinity. He died 
at i\Ir. Bellows' stable, In Lancaster, the 9th of January, 
1835. The cause of his death is unknown. He was 
left at ten o'clock in the morning apparently perfectly 
well, and at one o'clock in the afternoon was found dead. 

With the exception of some slight indications of age, 
he was apparently as free from every species of blemish 
or infirmity, the morning of the day he died, as when he 
was foaled. His skin has been preserved and stuffed, 
and may still be seen at the stable of Mr. George Bel- 
lows, at Lancaster, IST. H. 

Sherman had not so bold and resolute a style of 
action, and was not so nervous and high tempered as 
Woodbury ; nor was he, in the language of the stable, 



156 THE MORGA>r HOESE. 

SO well "iinislied up;" but lie was more tractable, was 
exceedingly spirited, and a keen, rapid driver — possessed 
great powers of endurance, a free and noble spirit tliat 
needed neitlier wliip nor spur, and courage that nevei 
flasrsred. 

Woodbury^ sometimes called tlie Burbank horse, 
and known in Windsor county as the Walker horse, 
was foaled the latter part of May, 1816, the property 
of Lyman AYight, of Tunbridge, Yt. It has been said, 
that he was raised by a " Mr. White," but this is a 
mistake that would easily occur ; the pronunciation of 
the two names is almost the same, and the latter being 
much more commonly used, the name has been misun- 
derstood. Woodbury was sired by the Justin Morgan. 
Of the blood of his dam, we are unable to learn any- 
thing. At the time the colt was foaled, Mr. Lyman 
Wight was a young man, about eighteen years old, and 
the dam belonged to his father, Yv^illiam Wight, who 
had loaned her to his son for the purpose of raising a 
colt. She Vv^as five years old when tlie colt was born. 
Mr. Wight purchased her the year before, of a Maj. 
John Moulton, of Bethel, Yt., Avho brought her into 
that town. She was large, being over fifteen hands 
high, and weighed about eleven hundred pounds ; she 
v/as of a deep bay color, with black legs, mane and tail, 
a small white spot in the forehead, and no other marks. 
She was not very compactly made, and was rather flat- 
ribbed ; but she had an excellent chest, fine shoulders 
and hips, and excellent liip.bs. Iler head was very fine, 
ears good, and mane and tail beautiful. She carried 
her head high, was a very free, spirited driver, and was 



called fast at tliat time. Slie both paced and trotted, 
generally starting in the former gait, and after going a 
short distance changing it for a trot. When trotting, 
she made a fine appearance, and going fast attracted 
much attention. She was a very fast walker. The 
autumn after the colt was foaled, about the usual time 
of weaning, Mr. Wight sold him to David Woodbury, 
of Bethel, Vt., for fifty dollars. Mr. Woodbury kept 
him until grown, and sold him to his brother John. 

John had a taste for good horses, and in his hands 
the horse began to be a little known. lie kept him at 
Bethel and the neighboring towns a few years, and 
sold him to Ebenezer Parkhurst, who kept him in the 
same neighborhood until March, 1826, when he sold 
him to Simon Smith and Wm. Walker, of Hartland, 
Vt., for five hundred dollars. Soon after this, Messrs. 
Smith and AValker dissolved partnership, Mr. Walker 
keeping Woodbury. Mr. Walker had a passion for 
horses ; he saw and appreciated the remarkable features 
of the Justin Morgan and his stock, and took much 
pains to bring them into notice ; but like many a 
pioneer in a new business, he could not make it pay, 
and being a man of small means, he was compeHed to 
"sacrifice his horse," as he terms it, ''for the insignifi- 
cant sum of four hundred dollars," and sold him to 
Peter Burbank, Esq., of iNewburj^, Yt. Mr. Burbank 
was a lawyer, and not a farmer or breeder, but he was 
fond of horses and had a discriminating eye for their 
good points, and having seen the Woodbury at Ketne, 
K, H., he (in his own words) "fell in love with him at 
first sight." Fearing to trust to his own judgment 
alone, he consulted Jesse Johnson, of Bradford, Vt., a 



158 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

gentleman wlio not only possesses excellent taste as to 
the proper style and general figure of a fine horse, but 
has also that close, critical eye, that seems almost at a 
glance to take in all the minute defects of form that a 
more careless observer might fail to discover. Mr. 
Jolmson did not fail to perceive the extraordinary 
merits of the horse, and advised Mr. Burbank to pur- 
chase him, Avhich he did the 20th of May, 1880. From 
this time until 1836, he was taken charge of by Jesse 
Johnson and Brothers, and kept at their place in Brad- 
ford, Yt., during the winter and latter part of the sum- 
mer and autumn of each year, and one or two j^ears . 
during all the seasons. During the years 1830 and 
1831, he remained at their stable at Bradford. The 
season of 1832, he was kept at Keene, IST. H. ; the season 
of 1833, he was kept at Burlington, Yt., and the seasons 
of 1835 and 1836, he was kept at Bradford and vicinit}^ 
In September, 1836, Mr. Burbank having died, the ad- 
ministrators of his estate sold him to Xorman Baglee, 
of Alabama, who took him to Gainesville, in that State, 
where he died in 1838, being twenty-two years old. 

Woodbury was fourteen and three-quarters hands 
high, and weighed from nine hundred and eighty-eight 
pounds to ten hundred and forty pounds; he was 
weighed several times, and these two statements of his 
weight, at different times, are the extremes. Many 
persons who have frequently seen him weighed, say 
they never knew him weigh more than ten hundred 
and thirty, nor less than ten hundred and fifteen pounds. 
He was a dark, rich chestnut; his off. hind-leg was 
white from the foot half way to the hock, and he had 
a white stripe in his face, beginning at the edge of the 



WOODBURY. 159 

apper-lip, filling the space between the nostrils, and 
extending more than half way to his eyes. His mane 
was not very thick, or long, and was lighter than either 
of the others, still it was full. His tail was cut off 
when a colt, and left about ten inches long ; the hair 
was very full, and curly ; both mane and tail were about 
the same color as his body. The hair on the body 
was fine, short and soft. He was close and compactly 
built, with heavy quarters and deep flanks ; his chest 
was good and the shoulders finely shaped ; he had a 
short back, and broad, sinewy loins. His legs had 
some long hairs on the back-side, but were well shaped, 
somewhat larger than Sherman's and not so large as 
Bulrush's. His head was small and lean, with a fine, 
firm muzzle, tlie nostrils very large and full, face 
straight, very wide between the eyes, which were dark 
hazel, very large and prominent, and showed no white 
around the edge of the lid. His ears were small and 
fine, but rather short, and set somewhat wider apart 
than many Avould consider consistent with perfect 
beauty. His style of action was bold and resolute, and 
his temperament was so nervous, that when taken out 
with a bridle it was almost impossible to keep him still. 
He was a good driver and appeared w^ell in harness, but 
he appeared to the best advantage under the saddle. 
Militia Colonels and Generals were eager to ride him, 
and no "musters" or reviews could pass without his 
being seen; in his case, to be seen was to be admired. 
His disposition was pleasant and playful. 

As has been said, he was taken to Gainesville, Ala., 
in the autumn of 1836, being then twenty years old. 
He was shipped from Boston, on board a small sailing 



i60 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

vessel ; lie suffered mucli from the long and stormy 
passage, and never fully recovered from the effects of 
it. It is altogether likely that the climate and food did 
not agree with him, for neither was such as he had been 
accustomed to ; however this may be, it is certain he 
continued to fail until he died in 1838. Woodbury was 
the largest of these horses, and possessed in a greater 
degree the bold, fearless and showy style of their 
sire; he was more nervous, and less tractable than 
Sherman, better under the saddle, not so pleasant in 
harness, and we are inclined to think hardly as good 
a roadster. His form was more symmetrical than 
either of the others ; his breast was not so full and 
prominent as Sherman's ; he was deeper in the flanks 
and better quartered. No horse ever had less fear. 
Martial music only roused him, the firing of guns 
in no way disturbed him, waving flags and gay uni- 
forms seemed hardly able to attract from him a single 
glance, and he moved about as if he was himself the 
principal object of attraction and the cause of all the 
attending excitement and display. 

Bulrush was foaled in 1812 or 1813. Of this we 
think there can be no reasonable doubt, although it has 
been stated that he was foaled in 1816. We have con- 
sulted persons who owned both Bulrush and Woodbury, 
and they all agree that Bulrush was the oldest of the two. 
Kow, there is no question but that Woodbury was 
foaled in 1816, and if Bulrush was older, it is altogether 
probable that he was more than one year older, for the 
Justin Morgan was taken to Claremont early in the 
spring of 1814, and remained there one year, and the 



BULRUSH. 161 

dam of Bulrush was owned in Eandolpli, Yt., the year 
he was sired, so that in the absence of any other tes- 
timony, we might very reasonably conclude that he was 
not foaled later than 1814; but the testimony of Chester 
Belknap is clear and direct, that he was foaled in 1812. 
Mr. Belknap was married in 1819 ; his father, who 
raised the horse, owned him at that time, and soon after 
sold him to Abel Densmore, of Chelsea, Yt. ; he was then 
seven jeais old. This statement of Mr. Belknap's, in 
relation to the age of Bulrush, is confirmed by many 
persons who knew him Avell, and there can hardly be 
a doubt that it is correct. The blood of the dam of 
Bulrush is unknown. She was a dark bay, Avith black 
legs, and heavy black mane and tail ; she was low and 
compact, had heavy limbs, with large joints, neck rather 
long, a good head, but did not carry it up very well ; 
she was a sharp trotter, but was not a very spirited 
driver ; she was said to be, and had the appearance of 
being, part French. She was owned by Mr. Moses 
Belknap, of Randolph, Yt., at the time Bulrush was sired. 
Mr. Belknap obtained her of a Mr. Boutwell, a teamster 
from Montpelier, Yt., who worked her in a six-horse 
team, hauling merchandise and produce between Mont- 
pelier and Boston. She was a very rugged, hardy, en- 
during animal, but Mr. Boutwell thought her too small 
for his business, and he exchanged her with Mr. Belk- 
nap for a larger horse. She weighed about ten hundred 
pounds. Mr. Belknap sold her late in the winter, when 
in foal by Justin Morgan, to Ziba Giffbrd, Esq., of Tun- 
bridge, Yt., Mr. Gifford to keep the colt until four 
months old and return it to Mr. Belknap, or pay thir- 



162 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

teen dollars more and keep it. Mr. Gifford preferred 
to return the colt and did so. 

Mr. Belknap kept Bulrnsli in Tunbridge and vicin- 
ity, until 1819, when he sold him to Abel Densniore, 
of Chelsea, Yt. Mr. Densmore sold him to Darius 
Sprague, of Randolph, Yt., who sold him March 8th, 
1826, to Messrs. Simon Smith and AVilliam Vf alker, of 
Ilartland, Yt., for three hundred and fifty dollars. They 
kept him at Hartland and vicinity, until they dissolved 
partnership in 1829, when Mr. Smith took Bulrush to 
Maidstone, Yt. He kept him one year at Chelsea and 
two years in the State of Maine, and in 1833 sold him 
to Jesse Johnson and Brothers, of Bradford, Yt. The 
season of 1833 he was kept at Bradford, Yt., and 
Bath, N. H. ; the season of 1834 at Keene, N. H. ; 
the season of 1835, at Lyme, N. H., and Bradford, Yt. ; 
and the season of 1836, at Burlington, Yt. During 
the v/inter of 1836 and 1837, the Messrs'. Johnson 
sold him to Messrs. Blake and Foss, of Chelsea, Yt., 
who kept him in that town until 1842, when they sold 
him to Lewis Jenkins, of Fairlee, Yt., who kept him 
at Fairlee until he sold him to F. A. Weir, of Y^alpole 
K. IL, who kept him until he died in 1848. 

Bulrush was a dark bay, with a few white hairs in 
his forehead, and no other marks ; his legs, mane and 
tail were black, and his mane and tail were very heavy 
— the former came down nearly to his knees, and his 
foretop came down to his nose ; his tail was cut ofp 
when young and left about nine or ten inches long ; 
his legs were large and had some long hair, vrere close- 
jointed, broad, flat, and exhibited a more striking de- 



BULRUSH. 163 

velopment of muscle tlian either Woodbury's or Sher- 
man's ; his back was not so short as either of the others', 
but it was very broad, and he was freer from any im- 
putation of sway-back than any of his brothers, though 
towards the close of his life he indeed fell away in his 
loins, as is always the case in old stallions. His hips 
were very good, but not so long as Sherman's, and he 
was not so well quartered as Woodbury, but he was 
deeper in the chest than either of them ; his shoulders 
were thicker and not so well placed, and his head and 
neck were not so well set up. He was not so proud, 
bold and lofty in his carriage as Woodbury, and he had 
not Sherman's short, nervous step, and tractable but 
high-spirited temper ; but he was a sharp, quick driver, 
and a faster trotter than either of them. He was a 
little inclined to be cross, but was not fierce, or in any 
respect unmanageable ; on the contrary, he was very 
kind in harness, always working pleasantly wherever 
put. His most remarkable characteristic was his power 
of endurance. For this, we think it is generally ad- 
mitted, he had no rival ; and his extraordinary lasting- 
ness has become proverbial Avhere he was known. His 
stock bear a strong resemblance to him, and are very 
numerous ; are mostly dark bay without marks, never 
sorrel or light chestnut ; occasionally a dark gray, from 
a white mare, may be found. Bulrush was about four- 
teen hands high, and weighed about one thousand 
pounds. 

Bulrush, Sherman, and Woodbury, were treated 
very much alike. Until after ten years old, each of 
them was employed most of the time at the ordinary 
team-work of a farm., and at no period of their lives did 



164 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

they have any more care than the common horses of 
the country ; and never had much knowledge of thick 
blankets and warm stables, but were early inured to 
the labor and hardship, fatigue and exposure, incident 
to a new and mountainous country and a cold climate. 
It is not improbable that the cold, dry atmosphere, and 
pure water of our mountains, has contributed as much 
as the rich pastures of our valleys to the stoutness, 
courage and lastingness of our horses. 

We have thus slightly sketched the more obvious 
distinctions and general characteristics of these cele- 
brated sons- of the original or Justin Morgan. While 
they differed in the particulars we have herein set forth^ 
(which difference was rather in the degree, than the 
nature of their qualities,) they all possessed the great 
and striking features of their distinguished sire. The 
same compactness of form, great muscular development, 
hardy, rugged constitution, docility and tractableness, 
short, easy, rapid step, eager ambition and lofty courage, 
BO remarkable in him, were found in each of them in a 
high degree. Through these noble channels, the blood 
of the Justin Morgan has been poured profusely into 
the hitherto hardy stock of Yermont, conveying not 
only the very form of the great original, but all his 
unrivalled vigor, grace, and ease of motion, combined 
with his docility and matchless courage. 



CHAPTER Vni. 

RENERAIi DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT FAMILIES AND THEIR 
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS. 

Any disiuterested reader of the articles tliat have at 
various times appeared in the sporting and agricultural 
magazines of the country, written by persons interested 
in the different families of thorough-breds, cannot fail 
to have noticed that a great diversity of opinion exists 
among them, as to the relative value of the stock of 
these different families. They may agree perfectly as 
to the unrivalled excellence of some common ancestor, 
but differ widely as to the relative merits of the differ- 
ent families descended from him. They will unite in 
an effort to make it appear that Diomed was the finest 
horse ever imported to this country ; but, guided by 
different tastes or diverse interests, will make a corre- 
sponding effort to advance the claims of particular fam- 
ilies descended from him. One asserts that Sir Archy 
was far the most worthy of his sons, and points exult- 
ingly to the unrivalled speed and beauty of Sir Henry ; 
while another with equal confidence sustains the claims 
of Duroc to this distinction, and triumphantly refers to 
the unequalled power and endurance of Eclipse. Again, 
another interested, perhaps, in other strains of blood 
says : Sir Henry was too small, and believes Eclipse 
derived his lasting endurance from Messenger or Gim 
crack. 

(165) 



166 THE MORGAN HOUSE. 

So it is with persons interested in different families 
descended from the Justin Morgan. Thej find no 
difiicultj in agreeing as to his merit, but do not at all 
agree as to the merit of his celebrated sons. Some, 
while they manifest a decided preference to one branch 
do not deny that the others possess some valuable 
qualities. While others, less candid, or more strongly 
influenced by interest, deny that any other family save 
that to which their own animals belong is deserving of 
any notice. We do not pretend, that this is by any 
means universal — on the contrary, we are well aware 
that there are many candid, thoughtful, and intelligent 
breeders, who, although breeding from but one family, 
yet freely admit that Avhile they have a preference for 
one branch, they cannot deny that either of the others 
may possess qualities equally valuable. It is not to be 
supposed that these families were exactly alike. We 
have in a former chapter endeavored to point out the 
points in which the heads of these families differed 
from one another, so is there a noticeable difference in 
their descendants. 

It does not necessarily follow that because there is a 
noticeable difference between two animals, there must 
be a corresponding difference in value; for we cannot 
lay down abstract rules so that the business for which 
the horse is wanted being given, we may determine his 
value, by any application of avoirdupois measure or 
Gunter's rule. Two horses may be so nearly equal in 
value that the very best horsemen may honestly differ 
in choosing between them ; and yet they may be so 
dissimilar that a child can mark the difference. 

Besides, there are many points connected with what 



DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 167 

fanciers call the "finish" of a horse, that are as ex- 
clusive matters of taste as the style of a lady's dress — 
such as the expression of the eye, the color, the relative 
proportion of bone and. muscle, the temperament, style 
of movement, &;c. 

Should any one succeed in defining clearly what he 
considered superlative excellence in these particulars — 
he would onl}^ have succeeded in publishing his own 
taste in the matter, instead of establishing any general 
rule by which others would be guided. For these 
reasons, we cannot be too cautious in deciding upon the 
relative value of different animals closely resembling 
each other in all their most striking and leading charac- 
teristics. Therefore, wc shall not attempt to decide 
which of these families possesses the most valuable 
qualities, but shall content ourselves with endeavoring 
to show the principal points in which they differ. 

There can be said to be but three distinct families of 
Morgan horses, namely, the Bulrush, Sherman and 
Woodbury. For although the Hawkins horse left some 
stock about Derby and Stanstead, and Eevecge some 
in the vicinity of Claremont, N. H., yet there are not 
now a sufficient number of animals living descended 
from these stallions to entitle them to be classed as dis- 
tinct families. The Bulrush family are most numerous 
ia that portion of the States of Vermont and New 
Hampshire lying on Connecticut river, between Wind- 
sor and Newbury. They are almost invariably deep 
baj^s or browns, with black legs, manes and tails; in 
this respect they differ from the other families, and also 
in their general (we might almost say universal) free- 
dom from any marks, such as white feet or white spots 



168 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

in the face. They have large limbs, wide, flat and 
muscular, sometimes inclined to be a little coarse, but 
the joints are good, and the whole limb very large in 
proportion to the size of the animal. We do not recol- 
lect ever seeing a spavin or a ringbone on a Bulrush 
horse. They exhibit great development of muscle, and 
in point of size are fully equal to the average of Morgans. 
They have not so bright, lively and intelligent eyes as 
the other families, though the eye is by no means dull 
or stupid. They do not carry their heads as high, nor 
have they as bold and eager an expression as the Wood- 
burys, and they have not as graceful and easy motion 
as the Shermans, but for lastingness and power of en- 
durance, we believe they have no rivals in this, or any 
other country, among Morgan's or any other breed. 
There is really some ground for the assertion a jockey 
acquaintance once made to us, that " a smart active boy 
would wear out a wrought-iron rocking-pony, sooner 
than a grown up man could break down the constitution 
of a Bulrush horse." In addition to this power of en- 
durance; they are generally sharp, keen drivers, and 
many of them are fast. They are not excitable, never 
fret upon the road ; but are busy, industrious workers. 
Some of this family have considerable long htiir upon 
the legs, and others are entirely free from it ; most of 
them have very heavy manes and tails. 

The Woodbury family are found most numerous in 
the central part of the State of "Vermont. There are 
also many along the Connecticut Eiver, between Brat- 
tleboro' and Newbury. The founders of this and of 
the Bulrush famiHes were bred close together and re- 
mained near each other most of their lives ; hence th-eir 



DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 169 

descjendants are found in tlie same vicinity. Tlie aver- 
age size of the Woodburys, we believe to be greater 
than either of the other families. They are deeper in 
the flanks, with heavier quarters, but not so heavy in 
the chest. Some are inclined to be hollow-backed, and 
in this respect differ from the Bulrushes. They have 
an exceedingly bold, lofty and resolute style of action, 
and are overflowing with spirit and nervous energy. 
They are generally very tractable, but eager and rest- 
less; are fall of ambition and cat-like activity, that 
makes them favorite horses for parade. Their prevail- 
ing color is chestnut or bay, often with a white stripe 
or star in the face, and Avhite on one or both of the hind- 
feet. Only a few of this family have any long hair on 
the legs above the fetlocks, and they do not generally 
have as heavy manes and tails as the other families. 
They have a shorter gait than the Bulrushes, and are 
spirited, pleasant drivers. The limbs, Avith the excep- 
tion that they are freer from long hairs, closely resemble 
the limbs of the Shermans, being not so large as the 
limbs of the Bulrushes. They have generally a softer 
coat than either of the other families. 

The Woodburys have the largest, most prominent 
and brightest eyes of any of the Morgans. The fore- 
head is also very broad and the muzzle good, but in 
some of them the jowls are not so well shaped as the 
others. 

The Shermans are most numerous in that part of 
the State between Newbury and the Canada line, and 
the neighboring parts of New Hampshire, about Brow- 
nington, Derby, and Stanstead, and in Addison county. 
We think the Shermans are generally smaller than the 



170 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

"Woodbnrys. They are more inclined to bo hollow- 
backed — but their backs are very short, with wide, full 
and exceedingly muscular loins, so that although some 
of them may be called hollow-backed, yet we venture 
to say that none of them were ever known to have 
weak backs. They are deeper in the chest, with a 
more prominent breast bone, and lighter quarters than 
the Woodburys. Their limbs are superlatively good ; 
and although they oftener have more long hair upon 
them than the Woodburys, yet underneath this hair 
will invariably be found a hard, sinewy limb, free from 
windgalls or any other unsoundness. 

They have a shorter gait than the Bulrushes, and 
do not raise their feet as high in travelling. 

They have not so bold, eager, and commanding a 
style of action as the Woodburys ; but we think they 
have a better temper for driving, and full as much spirit; 
and nothing can exceed their courage on the road. They 
have a more rapid walk than either of the other fami- 
lies, and an exceedingly short, nervous step that creeps 
up the 'longest hills at a rate that would surprise a 
person unacquainted with them. They are easily 
broken to harness, and, though spirited, are very gentle 
and tractable, and may be easily taught to stand with- 
out fastening wherever left. A little circumstance that 
came under our own observation 'v/ill illustrate this. 
Sitting one evening in the hotel at St. Johnsbury, Yt., 
and talking with a conductor of the Passumpsic Eail- 
road, we said to him that we understood he had a very 
smart little mare of the Sherman familj^ He said he 
had, that she was out in the street before a cutter, and as 
the night was not very dark, proposed that we should 



DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 171 

go out and look at her. We went out upon tlie steps, 
but did not notice any animal about the premises. 
However, our friend commenced calling "JNTelly! 
Nelly ! here Nelly !" and sure enough the mare, who 
was standing on the opposite side of the street, and 
some six or seven rods from us, pricked up her ears, 
and immediately came over to the place where we 
were standing. We jumped into the sleigh and took 
a turn down the street, the mare proving herself as 
spirited as she was gentle. 

The Shermans, like the Woodbury s^ are generally 
chestnut or bay, chestnut being the prevailing color, 
light chestjiut being more common in this than the 
other famihes. A white stripe or star in the face, and 
white hind feet, are very common. 

We think the Shermans have the best action in 
harness, and the Woodburys the best action under the 
saddle, or moving without saddle or harness at the 
end of a bridle rein. Persons unaccustomed to use 
horses except under the saddle may not understand in 
what this difference consists, and we will endeavor to 
explain. To appear well upon a parade or fair ground, 
under the saddle, or led, the horse must have a good 
figure, with abundance of muscle, the head must be 
carried high, and he must be overflowing with life and 
nervous energy, that keeps him constantly in graceful 
and active motion. His movements are comparatively 
unrestrained. If he champs his bit, and tosses his 
mane with excitement, it will not injure his appearance, 
provided he exhibits a pleasant temper, and yields 
cheerfully and readily to the authority of his master. 

To appear well in harness, the horse must have a 



172 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

figure equally good, tlie same muscular development, 
and exhibit a high spirit, but lie must have less eager- 
ness, he must have submitted himself perfectly to the 
control of his driver. He must carry his head high, 
but must keep it constantly and easily in that position ; 
he must move directly forward without any prancing 
or sidelong motion, and' must move invariably in a 
walk or trot ; in short, he must be a perfect and beau- 
tiful machine, guided by a touch, and controlled by a 
word. If touched with the whip, he must not bound 
with fright or ill temper, nor if possessed of the right 
temper will he fail to notice it — on the contrary, he 
will not soon forget it, and the driver who ventures to 
administer the blow will find ample evidence, in the 
increased and steady pull upon the reins, that it did 
not pass unnoticed. While thus moving like some 
beautiful machine, and submitting wholly to control, 
every movement must appear perfectly easy and natu- 
ral, and there should be no appearance of restraint, 
just as all the attitudes and gestures of the finished 
actor appear spontaneous and natural, when in fact 
they are all studied and artificial. 

Black Hawk and Green Mountain (in the list of 
pedigrees he is called Green Mountain second, to dis- 
tinguish him from an older horse of the same name) 
will illustrate our meaning : they are both fine speci- 
mens of the race, and are both widely and favorably 
known. Aside from his speed, the reputation of Black 
Hawk as an elegant driving horse is too thoroughly 
established to be in any way increased or diminished, 
by what we might say of him, and we refer to him 
only to illustrate our meaning. He comes nearer to 



DIFFERENT FAMILIES. 173 

our beau ideal of a perfect driving horse than any 
other animal we have ever seen. Possessed of abun- 
dance of spirit and life, there is also manifest a quiet- 
ness and evenness of temper that makes him under all 
circumstances perfectly controllable ; his step is nervous 
and elastic, but no unnecessary steps are taken. His 
style of movement is bold and fearless, while every 
motion is instinct with grace. But he has not that ex- 
uberant, overflowing, and irrepressible spirit of action 
that prevents him from being a moment at rest. Green 
Mountain is rarely if ever exhibited in harness, and 
properly enough, for although we have no doubt he is 
a fine driving horse, yet it is not in that capacity he 
appears to the best advantage. AYhile under the sad- 
dle, or led by a bridle rein, in style of movement — in 
muscular development — in spirit and action — he need 
not fear comparison with any horse living. There is 
a boldness in his style, a fire in his eye, and an unceas- 
ing play to every muscle, that once seen by a person 
having any taste for a horse will never be forgotten. 
In boldness and gracefulness of style he resembles 
Grey Eagle of Kentucky, but has more fire in his eye, 
and is more unceasing in his action. 

In drawing a comparison between the different fam- 
ilies, and in endeavoring to point out those qualities 
which as families they possess in different degrees, it 
will be readily seen that we can lay down no general 
rules of this kind that will not have many exceptions ; 
for in many respects these distinctions are so slight 
that they are often unnoticed, and the fact that the 
different families are now being crossed with each 



174 THE MORGAN IIOKSE. 

other, is gradually effacing these distinctions. This 
crossing of the different families, if properly conducted, 
will, we believe, be of great benefit, and tend much to 
the improvement of the race, and should be fostered 
and encouraged by our agricultural societies. There 
has in some instances been manifested a disposition 
among persons owning stock of one of these families, 
to endeavor to establish the reputation of their own 
animals by denying the good qualities of their neigh- 
bors. This is a weakness that is not confined to Ver- 
naont, but we suppose must be found everywhere so 
long as human nature is frail : still, however common it 
may be, it is none the less a weakness. We say "weak- 
ness," for, although slandering a neighbor's stock is a 
gross wrong, yet is it pre-eminently a weakness, and no 
really shrewd and intelligent man will ever be guilty 
of it, for it is always sure to re-act with tAvofold force 
upon him vfho resorts to it. 

The breeder whose stock has so little merit of its 
own that it must be bolstered up by detracting some- 
thing from his neighbors, we earnestly exhort to sell 
out at once, and purchase some that can rely solely 
upon its own merits for distinction ; for, if it is wanting 
in merit, no art can bring it into repute, and keep it long 
in favor ; and, if it is superior, be satisfied with exhibit- 
ing it to the public, and rest assured that there will 
not be wanting men with sagacity enough to see and 
appreciate it. 



CHAPTER IX. 

PRESENT CONDITION OF THIS STOCK IN VERMONT. 

To understand well the present condition of tliis 
breed of liorscs, it will be necessary to glance at tlie 
original liorse and bis immediate descendants, and 
contrast tbem vs'itb stallions of repute of that blood 
of the present day. For although such a comparison 
in no way assists us to determine the height, weight, 
or any other qualities of the breed as they now exist^ 
yet it is indispensably necessary to enable us to ascer- 
tain whether any change has taken place in theii* gen- 
eral character, and if so, what that change is. 

From a careful consideration of all the most reliable 
accounts of the Justin Morgan, he was about fourteen 
hands high, and his weight, in good condition, not far 
from nine hundred and fifty j)ounds. « 

His weight is only obtained by estimate, as there is 
no account of his having been weighed ; and, as weigh- 
ing live animals '\vas by no means common at that day, 
it is highl}^ probable that it was never accurately ascer- 
tained. His height we undoubtedly have more nearly 
exact, for horsemen who knew him are much better 
agreed as to that, and they would judge much more 
accuratel}^ of his height from the fact that height was 
the usual measure of size at that time. 

In a previous chapter we have described the most 
celebrated animals sired by him, and those from v/hich 

(1T5) 



176 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

our present stock is entirely derived. From a com- 
parison of the height and weight of these animals, 
namely, the Sherman, Bulrush, and Woodbury, Avith 
the sire, we shall see that they were both taller and 
heavier. 

Between these three horses there was a very strik- 
ing resemblance in all their leading characteristics, as 
we have already seen ; and each exhibited in a high 
degree those qualities that have given such celebrity 
to their sn^e. All had the compact form, the wide bony 
legs, great nervous energy, vigorous health and iron 
constitution, that enabled them to endure for years 
the severest labor upon scanty feed, and v/ith little 
care, not only without breaking down, but without 
receiving the slightest injury. At the age of twenty 
we see them exhibiting constitutions as unimpaired, 
limbs as free from any sort of blemish, and almost as 
supple and as sinewy as v/hen first broken to harness, 
and at even a later date showing upon all occasions 
the same high courage and invincible spirit that was 
so marked a characteristic of the Justin Morgan, never 
failing to attract and fasten the attention of the most 
disinterested observer. In these great qualities little 
room was left for improvement, and perhaps the most 
that can be expected is to maintain their reputation in 
these respects. In these traits of spirit and temper, as 
well as in their size and general form, we believe the}^ 
approach much nearer the Arabian or the English 
thorough-bred of a century since, than does the race- 
horse of the present day. This we think will ajDpear 
evident from a comparison of the best specimens of 
the Morfijan^s with the likenesses of the most celebrated 



HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 177 

tliorougli-breds of the last century, and with the de- 
scriptions given by all travellers of the Arabian, as he 
exists in his native deserts, and also with the portraits 
of the most fashionable thorongh-breds of the present 
day in this country. 

To show his resemblance to the English thorough- 
bred of a hundred years ago, we have placed at the 
head of this chapter a portrait of the celebrated horse 
Gimcrack, copied from an engraving of him published 
in the second volume of the "American Turf Register 
and Sporting Magazine." "We have selected this horse, 
not because the Morgan horse more nearlj^ resembles 
him than others of his time, but because he was one of 
the most noted horses of that day in England, and 
both he and his descendants have been justly celebrated 
for their speed and endurance. 

Accompanying the portrait of Gimcrack, in the 
"American Turf "Register," is a short Memoir of him, 
from which we extract the following : 

"Gimcrack, the sire of Medley, was one of the most 
remarkable horses of his day in England. He was 
a gray, and called the ' little gray horse Grimcrack,' 
foaled in 1760 ; got by Cripple, a son of the Godolphin 
Arabian ; dam. Miss Elliott, by Griswood's Partner ; 
grand dam, Celia, by Partner ; Bloody Buttocks, Grey- 
hound, Blockesby, Betty. Gimcrack was one of the 
severest running and hardest bottomed horses that ever 
, ran in England; although small, yet his ability to 
carry weight was very great, for he frequently gave 
the odds as high as twenty-eight pounds, and he con- 
tinued on the turf until eleven years of age, thereby 
showing his uncommon hardiness of constitution and 



178 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

firmness of limbs. * * ^ * * Gimcrack had 
acquired such, fame and celebrity that bis last proprie- 
tor left him a length of time at Tattersall's for the 
inspection of the public." 

A careful comparison of this portrait with the cuts 
in this volume, and with those of the fashionable 
thorough-breds of the present day, will show that the 
Mor2:ans bear the closest resemblance to the Arabian. 
or thorough-bred of a hundred years since. 

Little or no change seems to have taken place in color 
in the progress of the race, bays and chestnuts being 
the prevailing color of the Morgans, as it is of the race- 
horse. It will be remembered that of the three stallions 
— the AYoodbury, Bulrush, and Sherman — two were 
chestnut and the other bay, and these are now the only 
colors often met with. In speaking of the breed as 
they now exist, it will be understood by the intelligent 
reader that no notice will be taken of animals having 
only a slight tinge of Morgan blood, but only of those 
bred from Morgan stallions of repute Avhere they are 
known. The only important exception we have known 
to this general rule of color is in the case of Black 
Hawk, who is jet black, and takes his color from the 
dam. 

Yery many of his colts take their color from him, 
but some of them do not ; and Avhen not black they are 
almost invariably bays or chestnuts. It is a curious 
fact that most of his colts, which take their general 
color from him, have the white stripe in the face, and 
the white hind feet that belonged to their grand sire, 
the Sherman, 

It is probable that the short fare and hard service to 



HIS PRESENT CONDITION. 179 

wliicli tlie original Morgans were put, somewhat checked 
their gTOwth, so that they had less size than they would 
have had under better flire and less severe labor. It is 
certain that the true Morgans of the present day are 
decidedly larger than the original stock. First let us 
compare some of the most noted of the grandsons of 
the Justin ]Morgan with him, and we shall see that they 
are, or vrere, larger. Black Hawk, height 14 hands, 
weight 1000 pounds ; Eoyal Morgan or Crane horse, 
height 13 1 hands, weight 1020 pounds ; Gilford, height 
14 1- hands, weight 1000 pounds ; Barker horse, height 
15 hands, weight 1075 pounds; Morgan Emperor, 
height 15 hands, weight 1025 pounds ; Morgan Trotter, 
height 14| hands, weight 1050 pounds. 

These are taken equally from the Bulrush, Sher- 
man, and AVoodbury branches, and were all of them 
noted stallions. By an examination of any consider- 
able number of stallions of this breed as now kept, 
any good judge will be satisfied that the race has de- 
cidedly increased in size. To show that the above 
opinion, formed at first by the eye after examining a 
great number of these horses, is correct, we have 
resorted to the United States Agricultural Society's 
published report of their exhibition at Boston, in Octo- 
ber, 1855. The number of stallions exhibited was one 
hundred and thirty ; and of these, seventy were of 
Morgan blood. The weight of twenty -five of these 
is given, but three of them are four years old and 
under. Excepting these, because not fully grown, the 
average weight of the remaining twenty-tAvo is 1040 
pounds. This we think may be considered a very fair 



180 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

statement of tlie average .weiglit of tliese horses, as 
among them were horses of every size that can be 
found of this breed in our State. It is certain that 
the size has been increased. 

As to their compactness, strength of constitution, 
and power of endurance, we can see no reason for 
believing that there has been any deterioration. That 
they have retained their compactness, is so evident and 
so well known, as to admit of no question ; and the 
eagerness with which they are purchased by the stage, 
omnibus, hack, and livery stable owners throughout 
the country, seems to us the highest evidence that tho 
Morgan's constitution is yet sound, and his powers of 
endurance still equal to the most laborious service. 
There is no breed of horses among which there cannot 
be found unsound individuals ; and too severe work 
and brutal treatment will sometimes bring founder, 
ringbone or spavin, broken wind, debility and disease, 
upon the linest limbs and the hardiest constitution ; 
but we believe no breed of horses can be pointed to in 
this country more generally free from every descrip- 
tion of unsoundness than the Morgan. 

Little or no change seems to have taken place in the 
head and neck. The same light, lean head, small, 
pointed, and sensitive ears ; the same brilliant, promi- 
nent, restless eye, seems as strongly developed now as 
in the first of the race ; while the neck, rather short, is 
carried in the same proud and lofty manner that at- 
tracted the attention of all who ever saw the Justin 
Morgan. The general structure of the body is un- 
changed. In his short, bony legs, compact body, deep, 



HIS PEESENT CONDITION. 181 

roomy cliest, oblique shoulders, short back, and mus- 
cular quarters, he still exhibits the marked features of 
his illustrious ancestors. 

The present Morgans have not so much of the long 
hair of the Justin Morgan on their legs. This is an 
improvement, as the long hair on the legs is unsightly, 
inconvenient, and in no sense useful. 

His gait or natural pace seems to have undergone 
little change. It may be that his stride is a trifle 
longer, and it is our belief that it is ; but of this it is 
difficult to judge correctly, and it is certainly very 
doubtful. 

The greatest change in the going of the Morgans 
consists in this, that the present animals of the breed 
are faster trotters than their ancestors. In the time of 
the Justin ^lorgan, trotting was not much practiced. 
Fast trotting dates from the introduction of the light 
buggy. Since that time the horses in Vermont have 
been trained to that gait to the exclusion of almost all 
other paces. The art of training the horse to this pace, 
and developing his utmost powers in it, was .not then 
understood. But we do not think the most consum- 
mate skill in training of the Justin Morgan would 
have enabled him to compete successfully with many 
of his descendants. This increased speed in the trot 
we think is mainly attributable to their constant train- 
ing to this pace through several generations. 

That the training and using animals for a particu- 
lar service begets in them a capacity for that service, 
and enables them to excel therein, is a truth that we 
think is generally asserted by the best writers, and ad- 
mitted by the most intelligent breeders. A remarka- 



182 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

ble illustration of it may be seen in the pointer, wliich 
was originally bred from the hound ; yet how widely 
different have their very instincts become by being 
long used and trained to entirely- different kinds of 
hunting. Take the young hound for the first time 
alone into the field, and watch his unchecked, and un- 
guided movements ; he ranges about, trotting heedlessly 
over the partridge, the woodcock, or the prairie chicken ; 
even the whirr of the rising quail fails to attract his 
attention ; but let him come upon the fresh track of a 
fox, and instantly his deep startling hsij makes every 
echo ring, and wild with excitement he dashes off in 
eager pursuit of an animal he has never seen. 

Not so the high bred young pointer. He crosses 
the path of the fox indifferent to the steaming scent, 
but let a breath of air bring to him the odor of the 
unseen partridge, and he is instantly as motionless as 
if cut from marble ; true, he has not yet learned the 
full extent of his duty, but how strikingly does this 
action exhibit the effect of training and using for a 
particular service for many generations. K this were 
not a general law, how should we ever succeed in 
domesticating animals ? the colt foaled to-day Avould 
be as wild and untractable as his untamed ancestors 
a thousand years ago. 

It can hardly be questioned that a general improve- 
ment has been steadily going on in the character of 
our horses. This we believe to be in a great measure 
due to the peculiar fitness of our soil and climate for 
this branch of agriculture, but our breeders have of 
late years been incited to endeavor to produce the best 
animals bv the profit thev offered. In addition to the 



HIS PRESENT CONDITION-. 183 

stimulus given to breeders to produce tlie best stock 
bj the constantly increasing demand for it, there has 
arisen within the last few years a new influence, to aid 
in improving the character of our horses. We allude 
to the agricultural societies that have been formed in 
almost every county throughout the country. At the 
exhibitions of these societies, the finest animals are 
brought together, and farmers and breeders are thus 
enabled to compare the different animals, not only with, 
one another, but also with that ideal standard of excel- 
lence that each breeder has, or ought to have set up, of 
the kind of animal he is endeavoring to produce. 

At these fairs the young and inexperienced breeder 
meets many who have devoted years of close attention 
to the business in which he is just engaging; and by 
conferring Avith them, he may be able to shun their 
errors and take advantngre of their success. 

From able speakers he hears many important truths 
that will prove of inestunable advantage to him, pro- 
vided he cherishes them as lie ought. The old adage 
that " competition is the life of trade," is as applicable 
to farming as to any other kind of business ; and the 
healthy competition that these fairs or exhibitions 
excite among breeders is of great advantage to them, 
by stimulating them to make exertions to produce the 
best animals, and instructing them in the great prin- 
ciples by which they must be guided, if they would 
deserve success. 

The beneficial influence of these exhibitions can 
hardly be over-estimated ; and, as they have hitherto 
been, so will they continue to be, powerful engines of 
good, so long as they are wisely and skilfully conducted* 



184 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

These are some of the principal influences that are 
constantly stimulating Vermont breeders to keep up 
and improve the Avell-earned reputation of her horses. 
The materials arc now abundant; and if by association 
or otherwise they can be retained in the State, and 
properly bred, there can be little question that Vermont 
can for years to come furnish her sister States and the 
great markets, with the best business horse raised in 
any country in the world. 



CHAPTEE X. 

PERF0RMA2fCES OF MORGAN HORSES THE DEMAND FOR THEM AND 

THEIR PRESENT VALUE AS INDICATED BY SALES. 

The question has been sometimes asked, '' What 
have Morgan horses ever done to entitle them to dis- 
tinction?" Coming as it almost invariably does from 
persons interested in some other breed, the question 
implies a disbelief in the ability of Morgan horses to 
perform any feats of speed or endurance worthy of 
notice ; and, as such individuals doubtless deem it for 
their interest to continue in their present faith, we shall 
make no effort to convince them of their error, being 
satisfied that we should have little chance of success, 
opposing as we should both their interests and their 
prejudices. 

But there are others who make the inquiry from a 
simple desire for information, in relation to a breed of 
horses with which they are unacquainted, and we trust 
that to such the facts we shall state in this chapter will 
prove a satisfactory answer. 

Let us first consider what are the qualities for which 
it is claimed they are distinguished, as it is manifest 
the performance should be of such a nature as will call 
into exercise these qualities. 

The Morgan claims to be chiefly valuable as a driv- 
ing-horse with moderate weight, or in other words, as 

a business horse. In a previous chapter, we have stated 

a83) 



186 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

the principal qualities wliicli the business horse should 
possess. The degree in which a horse possesses these 
qualities cannot always be tested ; as, for instance, we 
may test his speed or his endurance, but we judge of 
his form, his style of movement, his spirit, or his tem- 
per. Speed and endurance are indispensable ; a suit- 
able form, a lively spirit, and a tractable temper, are 
qualities scarcely less important. Possessed of the 
former, he has the power to perform great feats upon 
the road ; possessed also of the latter, that power be- 
comes available, and can be applied to some useful 
purpose. The speed and endurance of the horse can, 
of course, be tested by driving him on the road, or the 
race-course; the former can be determined by driv- 
ing a short distance ; the latter, by driving a long time. 
We know it is very commonly said, that a horse has 
a great deal of bottom or endurance which can keep 
up a high rate of speed for from five to ten minutes ; 
but this is not the kind of endurance we are speaking 
of The endurance wanted in the driving-horse must 
be such as will enable him to last throughout the day, 
and from day to day, or from week to week. Many 
horses drive well and with much spirit for a short time, 
but are unable to endure a single day's drive; and 
many that can perform a very creditable day's journey 
are unable to last through a week of hard work. It is 
to such horses that the old stable-saying refers, " some 
horses will go so far in a day that they can't get back 
in a week." Youatt clearly asserts this fact : he says, 
" Many horses with narrow chests, and a great deal of 
daylight under them, have plenty of spirit and willing- 
ness for work. They show themselves well off, and 



STYLE OF TRAVELLING. 187 

exhibit tlie address and gratify the vanity of their 
riders on the parade or in the park, but they have not 
the appetite nor the endurance that v/ill carry them 
through three successive hard days' work." 

The Morgan horse may not exhibit the greatest 
speed for a short distance ; indeed, we do not think his 
form is such as is best suited to such extraordinary 
speed ; but he has such an amount of speed as " entitles 
him to the appellation of a fast traveller." "We do not 
think that great speed and great endurance are usually 
found combined in the same animal ; to support this 
opinion, we again refer to Youatt, who says : " Some 
of our saddle horses and cobs have barrels round 
enough, and we value them on account of it, for they 
are always in condition, and they rarely tire. But 
when we look at them more carefully, there is just that 
departure from the circular form — of which mention 
has just been made — that happy medium between the 
circle and the ellipse, which retains the capacity of the 
one and the expansibility of the other. Such a horse 
is invaluable for common purposes, but he is seldom a 
horse of speed. If he is permitted to go his own pace, 
and that not a slow one, he will work on forever ; but 
if too much hurried he is soon distressed." And again 
he says: "The question then is, what service is re- 
quired from the horse ? If he has to carry a heavy 
weight, and has much work to do, he should be ribbed 
home — the last rib and the hip-bone should not be 
far from each other. There is more capacity of chest 
and of belly — there is less distance between the points 
of support — and greater strength and endurance. A 



188 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

hackney (and we would almost say a hunter) can 
scarcely be too well ribbed home. 

" If speed, however, is required, there must be room 
for the full action of the hinder limbs ; and this can 
only exist where there is sufficient space between the 
last rib and the hip-bone. The owner of the horse 
must make up his mind as to what he wants from him, 
and be satisfied if he obtains that ; for let him be as- 
sured, that he cannot have everything, for this would 
require those differences of conformation that cannot 
possibly exist in the same animal." 

To the practical horseman, the simple fact that an 
animal has trotted a mile in 2m. 30s,, or two miles in 
5m. 10s., will afford little evidence of its power of en- 
durance in the livery stable, before a hack, or a Broad- 
way omnibus. Occasionally a long race is trotted that 
serves to test the endurance of the horse, but these are 
of so rare occurrence that almost the only recorded 
testimony of the lastingness of the Morgan horse is 
found in general statements of the fact, rather than in 
recorded instances of its exhibition by individuals of 
the breed. The quotations we have already made in 
a previous chapter, from writers of unquestioned au- 
thority, will, we think, fully establish their claim to 
more than ordinary powers of endurance. 

We have said that we do not think the form of the 
Morgan horse is such as is best adapted for the greatest 
speed at short distances ; still, among any breed of horses 
sufficiently fast to be called rapid travellers, individu- 
als will occasionally be found that will be fast for 
short distances, and such is the case with the Morgans. 



FAST TIME. 189 

That siicli is the fact, we think the well-authenticated 
performances we shall mention will abundantly es- 
tablish. 

Before speaking of these performances, a few remarks 
seem necessary, in order that the relative importance 
of these performances may be understood. 

Quite a diversity of opinion exists among sporting 
men as to what rate of speed for a mile entitles a horse 
to be ranked as a sporting horse ; this must necessarily 
be the case, since no abstract rule can be laid down. 
It seems to us that a horse must be admitted to be a 
fast, or sporting horse, that can make his mile in less 
time than a majority of those he will be obliged to 
contend with on the race-course. To enable u.3 to form 
some idea of the ordinary or average speed of the trot- 
ting horses of the country, we have made a summary 
of all the time, at mile heats, reported in the "ITew 
York Spirit of the Times," for the year 1852 ; and the 
average time made by luinning horses at mile heats 
during that year was 2m. 50s. and a small fractioQ. 
Our only reason for selecting that year was, that the 
volmne of the " Spirit of the Times" published that 
year was the only complete one which we had at hand. 
From this it is plain that a horse which could trot a 
mile within 2m. 50s. would have been able to defeat a 
large majority of the trotting horses of the country. 

We are aware that many persons affect to believe 
that a trotter is no sporting horse if he cannot " go low 
down in the thirties," but it is plain this is a mistake. 
The horse which can trot a mile in 2m. 40s. in good 
style, we feel confident will prove too fast for three- 
quarters of the trotting horses of the country. 



190 THE MORGAN nORSE. 

One of the most remarkable trotting horses ever 
known, and without any question the fastest horse of 
her time at long distances, was "Fanny Jenks," the 
property of Gen. A. T. Dunham, of Troy, N. Y. We 
are unable to give her pedigree, but she was raised 
in Vermont, and was always called a Morgan; and 
her form and style of movement exhibited in a high 
degree the characteristics of the breed. She was four- 
teen and three-quarters hands high, and in medium 
condition weighed nine hundred and thirty-five pounds. 
From Yermont, she was taken to Watertown, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., and became the property of Gen. Pratt. 
In the year 1839 or 1840, the General took her to 
Troy and sold her to Willard Jenks, of "West Troy, 
and of him she was purchased by Gen. A. T. Dunham. 
Her first important performance was at Centreville, 
L. I., in October, 1844, when she trotted ten miles 
before a sulky, carrying 145 lbs., in 29m. and 59s., 
beating Neptune and Misfortune. On the 5th of May, 
1845, in a match against time for $500, to trot one 
hundred miles in ten hours, over the Bull's Head 
Course, near Albany, N. Y., she performed the entire 
distance in 9 hours 42 minutes and 57 seconds. Ex- 
clusive of the time in stopping for refreshment (18m. 
27s.), she performed the distance in 9h. 24m. 80s. 

Of this performance an article in the " Spirit of the 
Times," headed '"'Fanny Jenks against the World," 
says: "Immediately on the completion of the match, 
and without stopping, she was trotted once round the 
course, and accomplished her 101st mile in 4m. 23s. 

■3f -Jf * * * * ■* 

" The mare showed no symptoms of distress at any 



PERFORMANCES. 191 

period of the performance, and her indomitable game 
was fully evinced by her speed in part of her last time, 
and the ravenous manner in which she attacked hei 
hay as soon as led to the stable. 

" On the follo^Ying day she was driven twelve miles 
(to Albany and Troy), exhibiting no soreness, stiffness, 
nor any other evidence that she had performed her 
wonderful feat so recently." 

In 1842, Black Hawk won a match of $1,000 by 
trotting five miles over the Cambridge Park Course in 
sixteen minutes. In 1848, October od, he won a race 
of two mile heats, best two in three, beating Jim and 
Dying Sergeant with ease in 5m. 43s. — om. 48s. — 5m. 
47s. Single miles he made at different times in 2m. 
42 seconds. 

At Boston, Nov. 8d, 1853, Black Hawk Maid beat 
Blue Morgan, two mile heats, best two in three. Time, 
5m. 23s. — 5m. 22s. Black Hawk Maid was sired by 
Black Hawk. 

The 20th of September, 1847, over the Union Course, 
L. I., Lady Sutton beat Sal and Grey Eagle, two mile 
heats, best two in three, in harness. Time, 5m. 17s. — 
5m. 21s., and again Sept. 27th, of same year, she beat 
the same horses same distance. Time, 5m. 22s. — 5m. 
28 seconds. 

The 19th of May, 1848, a trot came off over the 
Union Course, L. I., that created a good deal of excite- 
ment, and is well remembered by sportsmen on account 
of the celebrity of the horses, and the severity of the 
contest. The race was between Lady Sutton, Lady 
Suffolk, and Lady Moscow, mile heats in harness, and 
was won bv Ladv Sutton after a loner and close struo^gle. 



192 THE MORGAIT HORSE. 

Time, 2m. 33s. — 2m. 33s.— 2m. 35s.— 2m. 37s.— 2m. 
38s.— 2m. 36s. 

Ladj Sutton was raised in Barre, Yermont. She 
was sired by Morgan Eagle, a grandson of the Justin 
Morgan. The dam of Lady Sutton was called a Mor- 
gan mare, but we do not know her pedigree. Lady 
S. is not over fourteen hands high, has a fine figure, 
and a nervous, spirited style of action, with plenty of 
speed and endurance. She is too nervous and high- 
tempered to make a sure and safe trotting horse, and 
endure quietly and patiently all the accidents and mis- 
haps of the race-course. 

On the 26th of June, 3.843, a fast and well-contested 
race came off over the Beacon Course, New Jersey, 
between Beppo and Independence, mile heats, best three 
in five, and was won by Beppo. Time, 2m. 32-|s. — 
2m. 31is. — 2m. 33s. — 2m. 38s. — 2m. 3os. Beppo was 
sired by Gifford. 

On the 29th of September, 1843, a race came off 
over the Cambridge Park Course between Pizarro, 
Forest Maid, and Lady Swan, mile heats, best three in 
five, and was won by Pizarro in three straight heats. 
Time, 2m. 35s. — 2m. 39is. — 2m. 37^s. Pizarro was 
sired by Morgan Cassar. 

On the 2d of May, 1853, a race took place on the 
Hunting Park Course, Philadelphia, between Yermont 
Boy and Soto, three mile heats, to wagons, best two in 
three, won by Yermont Boy. Time 8m. 32s. — 8m. 47s. 

On the 10th of May, 1853, a match took place on 
Long Island between Ethan Allen, three years and 
ten months old, and Kose of Washington, several 
months older for one thousand dollars a side, mile 



PERFOKMAXCES. 193 

heats, best three in five. This match attracted much 
attention. Many who knew the mare thought she was 
sure to win, as she was deemed the fastest horse of her 
age in the country ; but the event proved tliey were 
mistaken, as the horse beat her in three straight heats. 
Time, 2m. 42s.— 2m. 39s.— 2m. 86s. 

We believe this is the fastest time on record by a 
horse of his age. We think his only other public trot 
was at Boston, Oct. 27th, 1855, at the Fair of the United 
States Agricultural Society, where he received the first 
premium for speed, beating Columbus, Sherman Black 
Hawk, and Stockbridge Chief Time, 2m. 34-^s. — 2m. 
87s. Ethan Allen was sired by Black Hawk, and is 
doubtless the fastest trotting stallion that has ever 
appeared on the turf. 

November 24th, 1858, Blue Morgan won a race 
over the Cambridge Park Course, beating Black Hawk 
Maid, mile heats in "harness, best two in three. Time 
2m. 38is.— 2m. 88ls. 

August 20th, 1852, Black Ealph won a race at Sara- 
toga, beating Murdoch, mile heats under the saddle, best 
three in five, winning the 1st, 8d and 5th heats. Time 
2m. 82s.— 2m. 80s.— 2m. 81s.— 2m. 88s.— 2m. 84s. 

October 6th, 1852, in a race between Murdoch and 
Black Ealph, two mile heats under the saddle, Ealph 
won the first heat in 5m. 18|s., though beaten by 
Murdoch in the race. Black Ealph was sired by 
Black Hawk. 

October 14th, 1854, Know-Kothing won a race 
over the Cambridge Park Course, beating Black Hawk 
Maid, two mile heats in harness. Time 6m. 26s. Mare 
di'awn after the first heat. 

d 



194 THE MORGAjST HORSE. 

In a match between Know-Notliing and Chicago 
Jack over the Cambridge Park Course, May 11th, 
1855, mile heats under the saddle, best three in five, 
Know-Nothing won the first heat 2m. 27^s., but was 
beaten in the race by Chicago Jack, vrho made the 
third heat in 2m. 27^s. Know-Nothing was sired by 
Black Hawk, and was only five years old ; his dam 
is said to have been sired by a grandson of Lee Boo. 
Chicago Jack was raised in Illinois, and we think was 
sired by Morgan Emperor, formerly owned by L. But- 
ler, of Chicago, Illinois. 

The 29th of July, 1856, a race took place over the 
Fashion Course, Long Island, being a match between 
Know-Nothing and Flora Temple, mile heats, best 
three in five, Know-Nothing under the saddle — Flora 
Temple in harness. Thou.gh matched against the 
fastest trotting horse in harness ever known, the friends 
of Know-Nothing felt such confidence in his powers 
that they backed him freely, offering odds that were 
quickly taken. The race was won by Know-Nothing, 
in thre'3 straight heats. Time 2m. 29s. — 2m. 29s. — 
2m. 80s. 

September 25th, 1855, Belle of Saratoga vvon a match 
of $500, mile heats, best three in five, over the Centre- 
ville Course, beating Murdoch in three straight heats. 
Time, 2m. 29is.— 2m. 81:is.— 2m. 88s. Belle of Sara- 
toga was sired by Black Hav/k. 

A race on the ice near Plattsburg, February 27th, 
1852, mile heats in harness, best three in five, was 
won by Sherman Black Hawk, in three straight heats, 
beating Flying Morgan and a gTay gelding from Can- 
ton, N. Y. Time 2m. 47s.— 2m. 44s.~2m. 42s. 



PERFORM AKCE3. 195 

In March, 1850, a race on the ice, mile heats, best 
two in three, was won by Fljdng Morgan, in two 
straight heats, beating Tramp. Time 2m. 51s. — 2m. 
4Ss. Flying Morgan was sired by the Hackett Horse. 

In a race over Cambridge Park Course, October 2d, 
1851, mile heats, best three in five, between Flying 
Morgan and Cleopatra, the former was victorious in 
three straight heats. Time 2m. 51s. — 2m. 51 |s, — 2m. 
57s. In this race Flying Morgan was called Burling- 
t;on. 

There are many others well known as Morgan 
trotters of celebrity, which we have not space to notice, 
sucli as Henry Clay, sired by Gifford ; Grey Hawk, of 
Chicago, sired by Morgan Tally Oh ; Whalebone, sired 
by Whalebone or the Clarke Horse ; Lady Sherman, 
sired by Black Hawk, &c., &c. ; there are also others 
about whose pedigree there is some dispute, but which 
are claimed as of Morgan descent, such as Mac, Lady 
Fulton, &c.. Mac was raised in Maine, and his dam 
was probably a descendant of Messenger, but there is 
little doubt that he was sired by Morgan Caesar, one 
of the best grandsons of the Justin Morgan. 

We think the above performances fully establish tho 
truth of our proposition, that although it is not claimed 
their form and gait is such as is best adapted to make 
the quickest time for a mile, yet the Morgans being as 
a class fast travellers, some individuals exhibit great 
speed. 

There is no doubt that if our farmers and breeders 
would take pains to develop the utmost power of their 
horses in the trot, very many would exhibit a good deal 
of speed. But no such effort is generally made ; our 



196 THE MORGAN HOUSE. 

people are not a sporting people. There is not a race 
course, properly speaking, in the State. True, some of 
the Agricultural Societies have graded temporary half- 
mile tracks, not only to give opportunity to test the 
speed of horses, but to exhibit their paces, training, 
and style of movement. They are not simply race- 
courses, and we hope that while the property of these 
societies they may never become such. 

We have no objections to trotting matches, and are 
v/illing that those who choose should engage in them. 
They certainly tend to develop one of the valuable 
qualities of the horse, and Ave cannot object if the 
patrons of the turf offer premiums for excellence in 
that one quality which is almost the only one by them 
esteemed. But it seems to us eminently improper for 
Agricultural Societies to offer such premiums for a 
single good trait in an animal, without considering the 
many others equally important. A good form, temper, 
action, and stjde of movement, suitable size, speed, 
and endurance, are each valuable qualities in the busi- 
ness horse ; but superlative excellence in any one of 
them alone, ought not to entitle a horse to rank above 
rivals superior to him in all other respects. Should 
any Agricultural Society deem it advisable for farmers 
to aim to produce horses whose excellence should con- 
sist solely in their speed, they might consistently offer 
such premiums. 

It is a trite saying that an article ''is worth what it 
will "bring in market." 

Estimating the value of Morgan horses by this 
standard, we shall find that they are unequalled by 
any horses in this country. We have already en- 



HIGH PRICES OF. 197 

deavored to show tliat they possessed great merit, but 
great merit is not always properly appreciated ; hence 
the inquiry, " will they command such prices as will 
remunerate the breeder ?" 

That they do command not only remunerating, but 
very high prices, can be abundantly shown ; indeed, 
those least fiiendly to the Morgans admit that they are 
in great demand, and that they sell for high prices. 
Instances might be given in which individuals of the 
breed have been disposed of at very great prices, and 
indeed they might be multiplied to almost any extent, 
but should not and would not establish the general 
rule, for there is no breed of horses of any note, indi- 
viduals of which are not sometimes sold for high prices. 

In Mr. Burnet's " remarks on breeding horses," to 
which we have before referred, although he does not 
admire the Morgans, yet he admits that "they sell 
readily at high prices." 

The editor of the " Country Gentleman," in an 
article giving an account of the National Exhibition 
of horses at Springfield, in 1853, says, in reference to 
the Morgan horses of Yermont, " It was seen by the 
originator of the movement, and by those who sympa- 
thized with him, that New England and the country 
generally were indebted to a single State for the most 
of their desirable and valuable horses. 

" It was seen that single breeding animals had been 
the source of almost millions of revenue to the breed- 
ers of their respective localities, and that in a majority 
of the States of the Union it was almost impossible to 
find a horse bred at home that was of high value." 

The " Maine Farmer," in an article before quoted, 



198 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

says, " For a seller of horses, it is only necessary for 
him to establish the fact that his horses are of the Mor- 
gan blood, and he meets with a ready sale at good 
prices, and the purchasers are more than satisfied." 

Mr. H. S. Eandal], in his account of the breeds of 
horses in the United States, says, " That they have 
sold for high prices, not only for the saddle and buggy, 
but as stallions to extend the breed, is certain. They 
have many warm admirers, and find ready purchasers." 

Almost any number of similar extracts might be 
added, but the foregoing seem sufficient, especially as 
we have never seen it denied that they sell readily at 
prices amply remunerating. It is evident that this 
must be the case, when we consider that they are not 
bred in any numbers save in a small district of coun- 
try, and that the demand for them comes from every 
State in the Union ; many being yearly taken to all 
parts of New England, and to the West and South. 

The prices at which they have been sold have been 
constantly increasing since the death of the Justin 
Morgan. One of the colts of the Justin Morgan 
(Woodbury) was sold when about ten years old to Mr. 
William Walker, of Hartland, Yt., for five hundred 
dollars, which was at that time considered a most ex- 
travagant price ; but if the same horse was now living, 
he would command more than ten times that sum. 
Ordinary stallions could be purchased at that time for 
from one to two hundred dollars. 

The more widely and thoroughly they are known, 
the greater has been the demand for them. Fifteen 
years ago the best stallions could be procured for from 
five to fifteen hundred dollars, the best geldings for 



HIGH PRICES OF. 199 

from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars, 
and the best mares at from one to two hundred. Now 
the best stallions cannot be procured for less than from 
one to three thousand dollars ; the best geldings sell 
readily at from tvfo to four hundred dollars, and the 
best mares at from three to six hundred. Horses pos- 
sessing extra value on account of their speed, are not 
included in the foregoing statement, as for such very 
much larger prices are often paid. We know that 
some will say our prices are too low, and point us to 
very many sales at mucli higher prices, of animals 
having no reputation for great speed, but we think 
that although there may be many such instances, they 
are the exceptions to the general rule, rather than the 
rule itself Again we may be told that our minimum 
prices are too high, and instances adduced of animals 
of good blood and form that have been purchased for 
less. We know that under favorable circumstances 
such animals may occasionally be purchased by per- 
sons well acquainted throughout the State, and con- 
stantly on the watch for favorable opportunities, at 
prices somewhat less than those we have named. 
Yet, as a general thing, when the price is much below 
what we have stated, we should be suspicious that the 
blood or form was not of the first quality. 



CHAPTER XL 

HINTS AS TO THE BEST METHODS FOR IMPRO'N^NG AND PERPETU- 
ATING THE BREED. 

The proposition tliat "like will beget like" is gene- 
rally received as an axiom by intelligent breeders of 
domestic animals. Altbongli as a general proposition 
tbis is doubtless true, yet we should make a great mis- 
take to expect that a male and female unlike each, 
other would produce offspring like either. Before the 
proposition will hold true, the sire and the dam must 
be like each other. Even this is not sufficient ; the 
progenitors of each must have been alike for some 
generations. 

The most careless breeder can hardly fiul to observe 
qualities appearing in his stock, that belongied neither 
to their sire nor dam, but which belonged to some of 
their ancestors farther back ; such, for instance, as a 
vic^.ous temper, .some striking peculiarity of form or 
color, or some peculiar mark, such as a white face, 
%vhite feet, &c. The chances that the good, and the 
danger that the bad qualities of an ancestor, will be 
inherited by any animal, will depend upon the number 
of degrees he is removed from that ancestor, unless his 
ancestors of the opposite sex have exhibited the same 
qualities, and have exhibited them in each generation. 

C390) 



IMPROYIKG THE BREED. 201 

When the ancestors npon both sides for some gene- 
rations have been alike in all their important features, 
then "like will beget like." Not that the animals 
bred will be alike even then ; they will only be alike in 
the prominent characteristics of the race. There will 
still be every degree of excellence. Some will be less 
perfect in form than others, and some with forms 
nearly faultless, will yet lack some essential requisite 
to give them the highest value. This is strikingly 
exemplified in the breeding of the race-horse. Immense 
fortunes have been expended, and time and talents 
freely given for the improvement of those qualities 
that render him valuable for the service to which he 
is put, yet comparatively very few of them prove ex- 
cellent in the very points to which the attention of the 
breeder was particularly directed. jSTow, if we were to 
breed from the poorest instead of the best specimens 
of the race-horse, it is evident that he would very 
rapidly deteriorate in all those qualities that now ren- 
der him valuable, and the extraordinary speed he has 
attained would soon be lost. The manner in which 
they have attained their unrivalled speed is by breed- 
ing those stallions exhibiting in the highest perfection 
the qualities sought, to mares possessing in a higli 
degree the same characteristics. 

This points out not only the best method for per- 
petuating the qualities of a breed of animals whose 
characteristics have become fixed, but it also points 
out the proper method of improving them. The Mor- 
ga,n horse has not yet fully attained to this point ; that 
is, his characteristics have no^t yet been fully and firmly 
established. K the breed is perpetuated, it is evi- 

9* 



202 •% THE MORGAN HORSE. 

dent it can never be by the use of Morgan stallions 
alone. 

Mares of Morgan get must be selected, and the 
more crosses of Morgan blood in the dam the better ; 
and those should l^e choseu which are fully up to the 
average size of the race, and exhibit in a high degree 
the peculiar characteristics of the breed to which 
they belong. It will, however, be no objection to the 
mare if she be not quite as well " ribbed up" as the sire, 
and she may be a little longer bodied ; many breeders 
would prefer that she should differ from the sire in 
these respects ; but it should not be forgotten that ex- 
treme length of body, combined (as it usually is) with 
flat sides and narrow loins, is a far from desirable 
figure. 

Youatt says, " It may perhaps be justly affirmed 
that there is more difficulty in selecting a good mare 
to breed from than a good horse, because she should 
possess somewhat opposite qualities. Her carcase 
should be long, in order to give room for the growth 
of the foetus ; and yet with this there . should be com- 
pactness of form and shortness of leg." Tlie Mor- 
gan mare should have a clean, light head, spirited, but 
mild, pleasant eyes, set wide apart ; but above all other 
qualities she should possess a sound, hearty and iron 
constitution, with abundance of nervous energy. The 
stallion should be selected partly with reference to the 
form and characteristics of the mare, and he should 
possess in a high degree those good qualities in which 
the mare is most deficient. In all cases he should be 
compact and possessed of a vigorous constitution, have 
a bold, resolute style of action, high spirit, and a great 




6 O O T T HORSE, 




8 H E E M A N 



IMPROVING THE BREED. 20 



o 



deal of tliat nervous or vital energy, wliicli gives life, 
vigor, and endurance to the whole. 

There are two errors very commonly committed by 
persons selecting animals from which to breed. Some 
pay too much attention to pedigree and too little to 
form ; while others err in the opposite direction. The 
one will select the animal with the longest pedigree, 
vrhatever be his form, while the other says, " I don't care 
about your pedigree, but show me your horse." The 
latter is of the two, the least objectionable, for the 
stock will be far more likely to inherit the qualities of 
an immediate, than those of a remote ancestor. Hence 
it is that persons having fine animals, ])os3cssod of ex- 
tremely short pedigrees, are fond of displaying in 
glaring capitals that trite old saying, '' Uood is bloodj 
but form is superiority ^ 

The meaning of this, although a little obscure, wo 
think is, that blood is a very excellent thing ; but that 
when the form and general characteristics are of the 
highest order, they are more important than any pedi- 
gTee. Many persons, however, seem to understand 
this very differently, and think it asserts that though 
blood is a very good thing, yet when an animal can 
be found of almost faultless form and possessing qual- 
ities of the highest order, it is of no consequence what 
is his blood. 

The truth is, that though form and character are 
of primary importance, the blood should never be 
neglected. This is true when the breeder intends 
his stock for the great markets of the country ; but 
when he intends to breed a stock for his farm for 
the purpose of again breeding from them, the blood 



204 THE MOPvGAN nOUSE, 

of tlic animal becomes vastlj^ more important ; and 
he who breeds from animals whose immediate ances- 
tors were of unknown descent, will be pretty sure to 
repent of his error. 

Another common error is, to search eagerly for animals 
to breed from, that have become noted for their speed. 
Many persons can be found who will pick up some 
long-legged, rangy, broken-down trotting mare, which 
perhaps could trot a mile in 2.30, and think by breed- 
ing her to a Morgan stallion, something very fine may 
be expected. [N'othing can be more ill-judged than 
such a course ; and in a large majority of cases it is 
sure to end in disappointment and loss. Occasionally, 
(and it must be remembered it is ordy occasionally,) the 
progeny of such an animxal may exhibit great speed ; 
but the great proportion of them will be found to 
have inherited her form but not her speed, and hence 
are of small value. 

The only course to pursue to keep up the Morgan 
breed, is for breeders to retain their best mcu'es for 
the purpose of breeding. This matter cannot be too 
strongly impressed upon farmers, and all who are in- 
terested in the subject. There is another danger that 
breeders must guard well against. The high prices 
that Southern and "Western buyers are offering for the 
best stallions, is draining the home region rapidly. If 
the best are sold, and only the indifferent retained, it 
is easy to see that some other part of the country, with 
enterprise enough to buy your best animals, will raise 
better Morgan horses than you can, as they will have 
better stock. Ko country can long retain a superior 
race of animals, who sell all the best of the growth and 



IMPROVING THE BEEED. 205 

increase. This is so obvious that no argument or dis- 
cussion is required to show its truth. Some breeders 
are already aware of this danger, and will no doubt use 
their influence to prevent it. We know of some choice 
animals that have been held, notwithstanding the most 
tempting offers from abroad. 

As the most spirited breeders are now making great 
profit by breeding from first-rate animals, their ex- 
ample will produce more effijct than anything which 
can be written on the subject. We know of some 
Morgan mares which have been put to breeding that 
are valued at a thousand dollars. 

The English have paid more attention to breeding, 
and with more success, than almost any other people 
Their abundant capital, paid freely for choice animals 
to breed from, shows us the means which they have 
used. As manv of the landholders in Endand are 
persons of great wealth, they have not been deterred 
by high prices from obtaining the finest animals. Their 
example is worthy our most careful consideration ; for 
they have had great experience, and the best talent of 
the country has been called to tlieir aid. There arc 
some breeders of Morgan horses who, although they 
will not breed from animals decidedly inferior in form, 
merely because they may happen to be fast, are yet 
inclined to lay too much stress upon great speed — a 
good quality, but one which we think is often pur- 
chased at the expense of qualities even more valu- 
able. 

If animals are selected for breeding which can make 
the best time for a mile, we think the tendency will be 
to depreciate the value of the breed. Bred for that one 



206 THE MORGAN nOKSE. 

purpose, thej will lose some of their compactness, be- 
come more Icggj and "rangy," and lack the stamina 
of the true Morgan. The general business qualities of 
the Morgan are what give him his great value. His 
admirable travelling gait, and his stoutness, courage, 
and endurance, are what is wanted for the road. It is 
not wise, therefore, to attempt to make him the fastest 
horse in the world, for in doing this we shall be very 
likely to lose sight of q ualities far more important than 
the ability to trot a mile in 2m. 80s. 

Let those breeders who manifest so much anxiety to 
produce a horse that can trot his mile "in the thirties" 
consider for a moment what would be the result, could 
they realize their utmost expectations ; (and, if their ex- 
pectations are not to be realized, it is foolish to entertain 
them.) The horse that can now trot his mile in 2m. 
80s., does he command a great price because that speed 
is available for any practical and ordinary business 
purpose ? By no means. It is because he can out-foot 
nine-tenths of the sporting horses of the country. It 
is because his speed is relativehj great, that his value is 
great, and just in the proportion that breeders could 
produce such animals would their value be decreased. 
This alone should cause the prudent breeder to look 
first for those qualities that will render the horse val- 
uable for ,fill ordinary business purposes. 

No person v/ho has given the subject any attention, 
but must be fully convinced that too little pains and 
care have been taken in breeding these horses. The 
value of Morgan horses was not at first justly appreci- 
ated by our own people. Travellers through the State 
had observed their fine points, and had noticed their 



IMPROVING THE BREED. 20T 

great power of carrying weight in the stage-coaches, 
and their extreme hardiness of constitution in a great 
variety of situations. A few of the shrewdest horse- 
men saw that they were destined to be in great de- 
mand whenever they became fully known ; and these 
few took pains to secure some good stock for the pur- 
pose of breeding. In that part of the State where they 
were first bred they became quite numerous before 
much demand for them sprung up. The farmers did 
not dream that the supply was exhaustible, and little 
attention was at that time paid to breeding horses, as 
the}^ were very low, and farmers generally considered 
it unprofitable. In this State, when the dealer m 
horses, or a stranger, offered the farmer at first $100 
or $125, and at a later period $150 and $200 for 
a fine mare, he could not resist the temptation to 
sell her ; and he would supply her place with an ani- 
mal of far less size, and worth perhaps less than half 
the money he had received for the one he sold. The 
legitimate fruit of such a course was the decrease in 
size and value of the animals raised; and had this 
ruinous system been generally pursued and continued, 
the valuable qualities of the breed would have soon 
been lost. These remarks, however, are chiefly appli- 
cable to that portion of the States of Vermont and 
New Hampshire lying between ISTewbury and Lan- 
caster on Connecticut river. The reason for this must 
be found in the fact that here the horses were first bred, 
and from their greater number were here most easily 
obtained : consequently, buyers from abroad rarely vis- 
ited any other part of the State, and thus farmers of 
the other sections were not so often tempted by liberal 



208 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

offers to part with tlieir best mares. Though these 
remarks are particularly applicable to that part of the 
country referred to, yet to a certain extent they might 
well apply to every town. As an illustration of tlie 
effect of this carelessness on the part of breeders in 
relation to the quality of their mares, we would pointy 
to the very evident difference in the size of the stock 
descended from the Sherman raised in the vicinity of 
Sutton, Burke, Danville, Lyndon, St. Johnsbury, &;c., 
and that descended from him, but raised in the north 
part of the State, and in Canada, about Derby and Stan- 
stead, the former coming directly from the Billy Koot, 
and the latter from the Eoyal Morgan. 

These horses possessed exactly the same amount 
of the blood of the Justin Morgan, the dams of both 
being sired by the Justin Morgan, and themselves both 
sons of the Sherman. Their dams also were nearly of 
equal size. These horses bore a close resemblance to 
one another in many important jDoints, were nearly of 
the same size and height, amount of bone, general form, 
and both possessed extraordinary courage and action. 
They have both, also, attained great and nearly equal 
celebrity. Under such circumstances, from the same 
description of dams, we should expect stock of a very 
similar character, and equal in most respects. In life, 
spirit, and action, there is perhaps but little if any 
difference, the descendants of both being widely and 
justly celebrated for these qualities, but in size there is 
a very perceptible difference. The stock descended 
from the Koyal Morgan, and raised about Derby and 
Stanstead, averaging decidedly larger than that raised 
in the other towns mentioned, and descended from the 



IMPROVING THE BREED. 209 

Root horse. Derby and Stanstead are much farther 
removed from the markets where Morgan horses have 
been sought, and the mares from which the farmers 
have bred have been much larger. 

Though breeders were generally unmindful of the 
qualities of their breeding mares, yet there were 
many scattered throughout the State who foresaw 
that these horses would be sought for, and early 
turned their attention to keeping up the qualities 
for which they were so remarkable, if not improv- 
ing them by judicious crossing with the best mares 
the country could produce. Some commenced pay- 
ing attention to this matter during the lifetime of 
the Justin Morgan, and bred directly from him. A 
constantly-growing attention to this subject has been 
manifest from the death of the Justin Morgan to the 
present time, though the great mass of the farmers of 
the State are yet niost culpably negligent in regard to 
the blood of the stock they breed from. 

It is to these comparatively few persons, who early 
gave their attention to this subject, that much of the 
reputation and present excellence of the race must be 
attributed. With regard to the proper means to be 
adopted to improve these horses, little has been said 
by those who have written upon it that we think will 
be of great service to the breeder. The subject is a 
difficult one ; and, although it is very easy to exhort 
farmers to take more pains in selecting their breeding 
animals, and endeavor to "^?>^p?'o^;e" the general char- 
acter of their stock, yet it is very far from an easy 
task to indicate the precise points in which any im- 
provement is needed, and the manner in which it is to 



210 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

be accomplislied ; and it is far better to continue breed* 
ing entirely within themselves, a stock of horses that 
have proved themselves valuable, than to crass them 
with animals of a different character with the hope of 
improving them, without any definite idea as to the 
nature of the improvement we propose to make. 

Although we never saw a horse that came up fully in 
every particular to our ideal standard of perfection, yet 
we have seen many Morgan horses that approached it 
so nearly that we should have little thought of attempt- 
ing to improve them. Therefore, let the first efforts of 
breeders be directed to the preservation of the good 
qualities already obtained, by taking great pains to 
breed from animals, both sires and dams, possessing as 
fully as possible the prominent characteristics that have 
distinguished the race, and whose pedigrees trace back 
throuQ-h the best animals of the Morgan breed. Pur- 

o o 

suing such a course, the breeder can rely upon reaping 
an ample reward for his efforts in the ready sale his 
stock will meet with at remunerating prices; and he 
will not subject himself to the mortification of discov- 
ering, when too late, that crossing his animals with 
strange breeds, with the view to improvement, has 
resulted in a progeny decidedly inferior to either branch 
of the parent stock. 

Let it not be supposed that we are averse to, or dis- 
posed to discourage, any attempts at improvement ; on 
the contrary, we would stop at nothing short of perfec- 
tion — ^but, as we approach that ideal standard, the diffi- 
culty of advancing is increased ; and the greater pains 
should be taken to secure the progress already made. 
The improvement of animals that closely approach per- 



IMPROVLN-G THE BREED. 211 

fection, sliould be attempted witli tbe greatest care, 
and by persons possessed of a tliorough knowledge of 
tbe pbysical laws that will control tbe result ; and sncb 
alteration must be undertaken for tbe correction of a 
fault, or increased excellence in some definite and 
clearly-understood point ; otberwise sucb experiments 
will resemble a lottery, in wbicb, tbougb tbere are 
splendid prizes, yet tbere is also a most discouraging 
array of blanks. 

Vermont breeders bave been so often advised by 
persons from abroad to make every exertion to increase 
tbe size of tbeir borses, tbat, contrary to tbeir own judg- 
ment, tbey bave been led to make some efforts to pro- 
duce sucb a change ; but, so far as we bave bad oppor- 
tunity to observe, mucb increase in size bas almost 
invariably been obtained by a large admixture of other 
blood, and at tbe expense of qualities we deem of tbe 
utmost importance, namely, compactness, action, and 
spirit. Tbe word "size," as applied to borses, bas a 
very different meaning at tbe Soutb and in New Eng- 
land. At tbe South the most valuable borses are from 
racing or thorough - bred stock. As races are now 
generally for short distances, height and length are of 
great importance, as enabling the animal to take a long 
stride. Consequently, height has there come to be the 
measure of size. Thus you ask a person how large 
is his horse, and you are told " he is a large horse, 
as much as seventeen hands high," or, " he is a small 
horse, not more than fourteen hands high.' Few horse- 
men at the South take any pains to ascertain the weight 
of their horses, that being considered of little import- 
ance. Inquire of a Yermonter how large is his horse, 



212 THE MOPwGAN HOKSE. 

and lie replies, "he is a large liorse — lie will weigh 
1200 lbs.," or, "he is a small horse, and won't weigh 
more than 900 lbs." This should not be forgotten, as 
many persons who have advised an effort to increase the 
size, intend the word to apply only to the height. 

Yf e think a slight increase in height would be ad- 
visable; but there is great danger of running into 
the opposite extreme, and certainly for service and 
endurance, too much height is a serious objection. 
Youatt says the breeding mare should have " compact- 
ness of form, and shortness of leg." That shortness 
of limb with compactness of form are indispensable to 
great endurance, is too well known and too generally 
admitted by horsemen to need any argument. It may 
be true that height is necessary to give the greatest 
speed, but of what practical advantage will be such 
speed without corresponding powers cf endurance. 
All experience shows that the horse of medium size is 
far the most capable of performing great feats upon 
either the turf or road in carrying weight at lo7ig dis- 
tances. The Arabian, universally admitted to possess 
astonishing powers of endurance under light weight at 
high speed, is rarely fifteen hands high. Of those 
horses that have distinguished themselves as trotters, 
a very large majority of them have been under 15^ 
hands, some of the most remarkable of them being 
under 15. " Fanny Jenks," who trotted one hundred 
miles in nine hours forty- two minutes, was only 14 f 
hands high, and weighed only 935 pounds. Tom 
Thumb, who performed one hundred miles upon Sun- 
bury common, England, in ten hours seven minutes, 
in February, 1829, was only 14^ hands high, and his 



IMPKOVIIS'G THE BREED. 213 

driver and sulky > weighed 250 lbs.; and we think 
more instances can be adduced of great feats at long 
distances, performed by horses under fifteen than over 
sixteen hands high. 

We believe it is a fixed and unyielding law of ani- 
mal life, that in medium size we shall find the gi'eatest 
activity, the best constitutions, the greatest power of 
endurance, and the most courage and vital energy. In 
the human race, how strikingly is this law illustrated ! 
It is the men of close, compact figures, and medium 
height, that possess the best constitutions, and are 
most active and enduring. The athletic of the amphi- 
theatre are men of medium size, with close, compact, 
muscular figures. Mark the men ^vho live to the age 
of ninety or one hundred years : they, too, are of me- 
dium stature, with swelling chests and close-knit, vigor- 
ous forms. 

Large cattle are -slow in their movements, and the 
heav}^ Durham or Herefordshire cannot compete with 
the low, compact and hardy Devon in action, speed, 
and endurance. The largest varieties of the dog are 
quickly conquered by the small, but active and vigo- 
rous terrier. And the tall, heavy Chinese fov^ls are 
speedily overpowered by the smaller, but nimble and 
high-tempered game bird. 

The horse is not an exception to this general law; 
and the breeder who fancies he can produce a class of 
tall, heavy horses, possessed of the activity, the en- 
durance and nervous energy that belongs to animals 
of a smaller size, will find upon trial that he has under- 
rated the difiiculties of the undertaking. The Morgan 
horse has .obtained his present celebrity as the best 



214 THE MORGAN HORSE. 



I 



business horse of tlie country, notwitlistanding the 
cry "too small, too small," and wc earnestly exhort 
oreeders to beware, lest, in endeavoring to increase the 
size, they lose the very qualities that have earned for 
him his high reputation. ISTor is it wise to breed from 
horses below the medium size. Very small horses are 
unable to carry the weight or perform the service re- 
quired, and will prove dull of sale. But, aiming to 
produce animals neither overgrovv^n or dwarfish, by 
breeding from such as are of medium size, the breeder 
can safely rely upon a quick market and remunerating 
sales. 

It may be said that the breeder must labor to pro- 
duce such horses as the market demands. This is 
very true. But if it is true that a horse of a certain 
form is best adapted for the uses to which horses sold in 
market are put, although he may differ from the horse 
then in general use, he will not fail to be properly ap- 
preciated when fully known. In a former chapter we 
stated that we considered fourteen and a half to fifteen 
and a half hands about the proper height of the busi- 
ness horse, and the Morgan horses of the best blood 
will fall a little below that standard. We would, there- 
fore, recommend that pains be taken to bring him up 
to this standard, but not at the expense of any of his 
valuable qualities. 

The proper method of attempting this improvement 
is to select larger mares. They should not be of dis- 
proportionate size, but such as are fully up to, and if 
possible a little above the present average height; the 
sire should not be larger than the dam. The most 
intelligent breeders are agreed it is an important rule 



USFBOYLSG THE BREED. 215 

in breeding, that the dam should be fully equal to 
the sire in size. Yet certainly there is no role more 
fiequently disregarded. Upon this point almost all 
T?rTiters are fully ap^-ei Some advise breedinor mares 
oi large size to sires of small size ; this we should 
very much prefer to the opposite course ; but our ov.n 
opinion i?, that there should be an approximate equal- 
ity between the sire and dam, taking care that the 
sire be not the largest, and that he possess s-uch qual- 
i^les as we have before described. 

But some -^^ill say recourse must t'C had to racing 
blood to improve the present Morgans. If the char- 
acteristic qualities of the Morgan horse are really val- 
uable, we are at a loss to see how his excellence in 
these respects is to be increased by crossing him ^nth 
the race-horse. 

Where breeding mares of Morgan blood cannot be 
obtained, we should, prefer mares p<:«s^sing a strain 
of racing-blood, but not thorough-bred; for though 
the thorough-bred may occasionally be found with 
considerable compactne^ of form, yet it can hardly be 
denied that a close-built, compact racer with plenty 
of bone and muscle, is at this day a rare animaL StiU, 
he retains in a high degree the fire and courage that 
his ancestors brought Tiith them from the deserts of 
Arabia. 

It is to the thorough-bred that the Morgan owes, in 
a great measure, his indomitable courage and never- 
£ ' rit. This courasre and spirit everv arood 

\ : take great pains to foster and preserve. 

r . rly few breeds of horses possess in a hi^ 

degree this distinguishing trait of the Arabian; and it 



216 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

is chiefly for this reason that we would resort, when 
Morgan mares cannot be obtained, to those that have a 
strain of racing or Arabian blood, say one-eighth to 
one-quarter. 

In tlie breeding of all domestic animals except the 
horse, competition for the purchase of the best stock 
is mainly confined to farmers and breeders. But the 
best specimens of the horse are daily sought for, and 
tempting prices offered, by persons not engaged in their 
pi*oduction, residing in the great cities, who are proud 
to own the finest drivers and goers in the country. 

"With the view of improving- the horses of France, 
the French government maintain a stud of the best 
stallions and mares for breeding, and no expense is 
spared by them to command the best in that country. 
In some parts of the Uuited States associations of farm- 
ers and breeders have been formed for the same gene- 
ral purpose. It is to an association of this kind formed 
some years ago, that Kentucky is indebted for her fine 
stock of high-bred cattle, which are acknowledged by 
those who have had the best opportunities of judging, 
to be superior to those of any other State in the Union. 
The Kentucky asssociations have usually imported 
their animals, and from time to time sold to their own 
citizens, who would retain the stock in the State. The 
stock sold has usually paid for the original cost, and all 
expenses, so that the improvement has been made at a 
cheap rate, and the stock is constantly improving. 

Some liberal gentlemen of fortune, who are neither 
farmers nor breeders, would no doubt aid in forming 
and keeping up such associations for the improvement 
of horses. If such an association were formed in every 



IMPROVING THE BREEI>. 217 

county, tliey could easily retain the best stallions and 
mares for breeding. They Avould prove useful in 
awakening more attention to the importance and neces- 
sity of retaining the very best animals, and the example 
of the association would not be lost on individuals. 
The following suggestions by an intelligent writer 
in the ''Albany Cultivator," over the signature of 
" Equus," seem to us worthy of attention : " The form- 
ation of clubs in different neighborhoods for the im- 
provement of the breed of horses, might be productive 
of great advantage. It should be an object with such 
clubs to secure the best mares, Avhicli should be bred 
to the most valuable horses. The rules of the clubs 
should be as few and as simple as possible. The mares 
may be owned separately, by individuals composing 
the clubs ; but they should be such as the club, or a 
committee appointed by it, should approve. The stal- 
lions should be owned by the club. They should be 
selected by individuals appointed by the club. The 
club should have the sole direction in regard to their 
use ; they should be kept at joint expense ; and the 
proceeds arising from their services should be divided 
in an equitable ratio among the members. This busi- 
ness, if properly conducted, may undoubtedly be made 
profitable. The clubs, if properly conducted, \yould 
soon establish a favorable reputation. They should 
offer none but the ver7j best stock, and such would be 
certain to meet with a ready sale at remunerating 
prices." 

In some parts of the country such societies or clubs 
have been formed — ^but few if any in our State. In 
readiiio; the foregoing remarks in relation to the prop- 

10 



218 THE MORGAN HOESE, 

er metho.d of preserving and perpetuating tlie Morgan 
breed of horses, it must be borne in mind tliat we 
believe it is the true interest of breeders to foster and 
preserve those qualities that render them so valuable 
asbasiness horses, and to make no effort to adapt them 
to those kinds of service for which fashion or utility 
demand a different kind of animal. They have not 
height enough to suit fashionable people in the large 
cities who want horses to roll their princely equipages 
through the streets. They have not the natural paces 
that persons generally think best suited for the saddle ;. 
and if we were to attempt breeding horses to supply 
that demand, we should prefer a different breed. 

In concluding this chapter, we cannot forbear ex- 
pressing the hope that some of our breeders possessing 
the requisite knowledge of, and taste for the subject, 
will favor the public with a full and complete essay 
upon it, as it is one far too little understood by the 
great mass of our farmers. 

The man who causes two blades of grass, or two 
grains of wheat, to grow v/here only one grew before, is 
admitted to be a public benefactor. But he who will 
improve, or show us how to improve, our domestic ani- 
mals, will do us an equal, perhaps a greater service. 




1 



CHAPTER XII. 

HINTS IN RELATION TO BREAKING AND DRIVING. 

However horsemen may differ in relation to tho 
manner of inculcating tlie later lessons, all seem to be 
well agreed that perfect kindness and gentleness should 
characterize our first efforts to bring the young colt 
under that perfect subjection, without which the finest 
form, the greatest speed, or the most lasting endurance, 
will fail to make him superlatively valuable. But 
though all horsemen profess themselves agreed as to 
the importance of thus treating the young colt, many 
allow their practice to differ widely from their profes- 
sions. 

Of all the vicious habits which are found in horses, 
we believe nine-tenths are owing to unkind treatment, 
harsh usage and improper management when first put 
to work, or, in other words, while being broken. 

The ancients well understood the importance of 
kind treatment in training colts. Nearly twenty-three 
hundred years ago Xcnophon wrote the following 
directions for the management of the young horse : 
" Care must be taken, that when the breaker receives 
the foal, he be gentle, tractable, and fond of men. For 
he is generally rendered so at home by the groom, if 
the foal is made to understand that hunger, thirst, and 
irritation are procured by solitude ; and that meat, 
drink and freedom from irritation are procured by men. 

(219) 



220 ' THE MORGAN HORSE. 

When these things take place, foals not only love but 
long for men. It is necessary also to touch those parts 
which, when touched, give greatest pleasure to the 
horse ; and these are the hairiest, and those parts in 
which, Y/hen he feels any pain, he cannot relieve him- 
self. 

" The groom should be enjoined to lead him through 
a crowd, and cause him to approach all kinds of sights 
and sounds. Yv^hichever of these the foal may dread, 
it is necessary to teach him, not by harshness, but 
gentleness, that they are not dangerous." 

Eegarding this subject as one of vital importance 
and too little understood, we shall devote some space 
to it, at the risk of its being thought foreign to our 
general subject. 

The breaking and training of the horse to the kinds 
of service for which, when matured, he will be used, 
should commence ?t an early age. The reasons for 
this are many and obvious. As the colt advances 
towards maturity, he becomes more fixed in his habits, 
more resolute in temper, less capable of being taught, 
and is able to offer greater resistance. 

With regard to his being "less capable of being 
taught," many persons may not think this correct, and, 
as an illustration, point us to the horses used in the 
Circus, these horses being rarely trained to tlieir paces, 
tricks and evolutions, until they are fully grown ; but 
we do not think this in any respect militates against 
the soundness of our proposition ; it merely shows us 
how much may be accomplished after the horse has 
attained his full growth. As a general thing, we think 
it will be found that those horses whose performancea 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 221 

are the most remarkable, as exhibiting a high and rare 
degree of intelligence, were early trained to obedience. 
It is a well-known fact that animals which have 
been trained for years, and tanght to perform a great 
variety of tricks, until they seem almost endowed with 
the intelligence of human beings, are not only perfect 
in the various difficult feats they have been taught, but 
they also acquire the power of learning any other 
tricks or performances with ease and rapidity ; just as 
the child who from his infancy has been taught to 
exercise his faculties daily until arrived at manhood, 
acquires knowledge much more easily and readily than 
he whose mind has been allowed to run entirely to 
waste and receive no sort of cultivation. The mere 
habit of implicit obedience from his earliest years, 
would in itself account, in a great measure, for the 
greater ease ^vith which the horse accustomed to such 
obedience is taught. 

Few will deny that animals may, and that the horse 
does, possess intelligence ; and we can scarcely conceive 
of an intelligence that is not capable of cultivation 
and improvement. 

When the horse is very young he is capable of offer- 
ing but a feeble resistance to his master, and there is 
much less danger of his injuring himself or his trainer 
by his efforts to free himself from necessary restraint. 
Two objections are sometimes urged against the early 
training of colts : 1st, that using them at a very early 
age retards their growth, and is apt to render them 
unsound ; and 2d, that early handling injures and sours 
their temper. To the first we reply that such injuries 
result from injudicious and harsh treatment, and such 



222 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

treatment will result in injuries to tlie animal, no 
matter wliat liis ags. We liave lieard this objection 
made by pei'sons who would allow their colts to run 
wild until the third winter, never even accustoming 
them to allow of the least handling, and then an effort 
is made to break them, and the whole process is em- 
phatically a hrecikhig one. 

A file of men surround him in the field, drive him 
to a corner, and with great trouble a halter is got upon 
him. He is made fast to a strong post and allowed to 
wear himself out in his prodigious efforts to escape ; 
efforts that far more imperil his limbs and his life than 
years of careful and judicious use. Unless great 
pains are taken that all the fastenings are secure, he 
will be apt to free himself; and, let him once break 
away, all after attempts to subdue him will be attended 
with tenfold difiiculty. After being so far subdued 
that he will yield to the halter and allow himself to be 
led, a harness is put on him, he is put with another 
animal before a common sled, the tongue or pole of 
which runs so low that the traces are dangling about 
his legs, and he can at any time step over them with- 
out the slightest difiiculty. He has been put in by 
main force, and he stands sulky and ill-tempered, his 
legs spread out and his ears motionless. When told 
to start, and the horse with him moves off, he is drag- 
ged ahead, and in all probability his first movement 
will be a prodigious rush forward that threatens to 
snap every strap and fastening about him ; should a 
trace or a whiffletree break, or any other important 
thing give way, he will often get loose, and from the 
effects of such a fright and escape, the high-spirited 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 223 

colt rarely recovers ; he may, by good management and 
care, be driven, and even become apparently quiet and 
manageable ; but let some part of his harness break, 
or a trace unhitch, and he is instantly wild with fright, 
and will use every possible exertion to escape, which 
exertion will, in many cases, prove successful. But if, 
instead of making any effort to free himself from re- 
straint when he is first bid to go, he proves sullen and 
exhibits a disposition to resist all endeavors to move 
him, his driver at once declares it an exhibition of ill- 
temper and natural ugliness that must be broken down 
at the very commencement of his training, or it will 
grow worse by going unchecked; accordingly he begins 
with a slight touch of the whip, slight, because he is 
somewhat afraid of the immediate consequences : startled 
by the blow, the colt perhaps makes an effort to move 
forward, but is checked by the bit, the driver having 
taken him well in hand before touching him Avdth the 
whip : another touch of the whip with a slackened 
rein and possibly he is got off without accident. But 
suppose the first touch of the whip does not startle 
him, it is repeated until he feels some pain from it, and 
he returns the blow with a kick, just as he kicks at 
the fly that annoys him in the pasture ; instead, how- 
ever, of meeting nothing but thin air, his foot or leg 
comes in contact with the whiffletree, the pole, or the 
traces — he is both hurt and frightened — he repeats the 
blow, and in a few moments has freed himself from 
the carriage, his driver, and all restraint, and has taken 
his first lesson in one of the worst vices to which the 
horse can be addicted. 

It is true that under such management the colt will 



224 THE MORGAIS' HORSE. 

often turn out well and become perfectly kind and 
tractable, but it by no means follows that because such 
management often succeeds it is the best mode of treat- 
ing the young colt. Such treatment often results in 
the utter ruin of the animal, by straining him or in- 
flicting some other bodily injury, or by fixing upon 
him some vice that renders him w^holly unsalable. 

Of the animals that suffer permanent injury from 
such management, nine- tenths of them are horses that 
would, under different treatment, have made very su- 
perior and valuable servants — for it is the horse of high 
courage and spirit that offers the most serious resistance, 
and requires the greatest exercise of patience, kindness, 
and gentle treatment; while the dull, sluggish and 
stupid animal, though easily broken, is unfortunately 
worth but a trifle after it is done. 

Some may think it impossible that such a course of 
brutal treatment can be often pursued towards the 
horse in view of all that has been written upon the sub- 
ject; but we have so often seen instances of it, that it 
is quite plain enough has not yet been said or written 
against it. 

In training the young horse, too much pains cannot 
be taken to have everj^ description of harness or 
listening put upon him perfectly sound and sufficiently 
strong. Accidents arising from defects in the harness 
or carriage are not only dangerous to the driver, but 
often ruinous to the horse. 

The first lessons in obedience should be given while 
the colt is following the dam ; and, to accomplish this 
the more readily, the mare should be often used at 
some light work, in order that the colt may be easily 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 225 

handled and made perfectly familiar with the various 
objects with which, when grown, he will be connected. 
He should be handled every day gently and quietly, 
taking care to touch him only in those places that are 
agreeable to him : these places will be those that he 
c mnot easily rub, or touch with his mouth or feet — 
such as the back, the top of the hips, the jowls, the 
under si;ie of the neck and the head^ taking care to avoid 
the ears, for few horses like to have their cars touched, 
no matter how carefully. The greatest care should be 
talvcn to avoid touching them on the flanks, or the 
inside of the stifle, the under side of the breast, or in 
any place where it seems to annoy him. 

Every one has observed that some persons are more 
easily tickled than others, some being so sensitive in 
this respect that the mere pointing of a finger towards 
them puts them in perfect misery ; while others hardly 
ever experience any such sensation, no matter how 
much effort is made to produce it. The horse is 
equally sensitive in this respect, and many a fine animal 
has been utterly ruined by a total disregard to this 
natural sensation, over which the horse has no control. 
How often do we see the horse tied up to be groomed 
twisting and turning in every direction to avoid the 
sharp teeth of the curry-comb with which the brutal 
groom is harrowing up the skin, and chafing him in 
those places where even the slightest touch puts him 
in agony : should the poor brute venture to return such 
usage by a kick, a most unmerciful beating is pretty 
sure to follow, and he is at once pronounced an ugly 
and vicious animal. 

When the colt is about two months old, a halter 
10^ 



226 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

should be put on Mm. : a rope one will do, though a 
leather one is better, as the harsh rope chafes and 
annoys him. Of whatever material the halter is made, 
it should be abundantly strong, so that his most violent 
struggles cannot break it ; put a harness on the mare, 
and either put her before a wagon, or hitch her in such 
a way that the colt will not be liable to hurt himself 
in plunging, as he will be pretty sure to for a few 
minutes. If he has been accustomed to being handled, 
no difficulty will be found in putting on the halter. 
It should be fastened to the collar of the mare's har- 
ness, and the breaker, taking hold of the bit of the 
mother with one hand, keep constant hold of the 
halter of the colt with the other ; for it is important 
that he should not only surrender, but he should be 
made to associate all ideas of obedience with his master. 
After a few pulls at the halter and a jump or two, he 
submits, and may soon be led anywhere with perfect 
safety. 

In these, as in all other lessons, care should be taken 
to reward every act of obedience by a gentle pat and 
a kind word. After the colt will suffer himself to be 
led, little more need be done towards breaking him 
until he is two years old, except that he should be 
handled daily and often led ; and in doing this care 
should be taken not to endeavor to walk faster than 
the colt is naturally disposed to. It is a great mistake 
to suppose that incessant lugging at the halter will 
teach the colt to walk fast : it will only teach him to 
hang back upon the halter, and this habit, once con- 
firmed, can never be fully broken. At two years old 
the breaking to harness and saddle should commence. 



EREAKIIs^G AND DRIVING. 227 

If the colt has never been accustomed to the confine- 
ment of the stall, he should be put in for a few hours 
every day for a fev\^ days, hitched short so that there 
may bo no possibility of his getting his feet over the 
halter ; he should be turned out nights till he gets per- 
fectly well accustomed to his stable. During this time 
he should be bitted every day ; at first he may be turn- 
ed loose with a headstall or bridle on, without the 
reins; this should be continued till he becomes per- 
fectly accustomed to the bit. 

The ordinary bitting bridle may then be put on, and 
the bearing and side reins taken np just so as to move 
the head a very Utile from its natural position, and it 
should not be kept on more than two hours. Kothino- 
can be more pernicious than the practice of straining 
the head into an exceedingly unnatural position, and 
keeping it so for hours, to the excruciating torture of 
the animal, and the utter ruin of his mouth. 

Much of this ill-treatment in bitting is to be attribut- 
ed to a mistaken notion that the manner in which the 
horse carries his head will depend principally, or in a 
great measure, upon the position into which it is drawn 
by the bitting bridle. The position in which the 
horse carries his head in harness will depend almost 
entirely upon his form and his temper, which govern its 
natural position when left free from any sort of restraint. 
No art can ever give the horse with a low, perpendicular 
shoulder and short neck, a fine style of carrying his head 
and neck, even if he possesses good courage and spirit. 
The bitting bridle may be of some service in giving 
the head a proper position; but the great object of 
using it is, to accustom the horse to submit to the press* 



228 TNE MORGAN HORSE. 

ure of the bit, and teacli him to obey the motions of 
the reins. 

When the head is strained up into an unnatural and 
uncomfortable position, and kept there a long time, the 
colt relieves the pain he feels by resting the entire 
weight of his head on the bit; and in this case, instead 
of deriving any benefit from it, his mouth is injured 
by his acquiring the habit of hangiog on the bit, and 
often this will be accompanied by the habit of leaning 
his head on one side of his bit ; tliese habits will fol- 
low him through life, and verj^ materially injure him. 

Youatt says, " The bit should be large and smooth, 
and the reins buckled to a ring in the side of the pad. 
There are many curious and expensive machines for this 
purpose, but the simple rein will be quite sufficient. It 
should at first be slack, and then be gradually tighten- 
ed. This will prepare for the more perfect manner in 
v/hich the head will afterwards be got into its proper 
position, when the colt is accustomed to the saddle. 
Occasionally the breaker should stand in front of the 
colt and take hold of each rein near the mouth, and 
press upon it, and thus begin to teach him to stop 
and to back on the pressure of the rein, rewarding 
every act of docility, and not being too eager to 
punish occasional carelessness or waywardness." 

After having become well accustomed to the bit, 
portions of the harness should be put on slowly and 
carefully, and he should be led about for a time until 
he becomes perfectly accustomed to it. Then the reins 
may be used, and vrhen he has become obedient to 
them, a third person should take hold of the traces, one 
in each hand, taking care that they are long enough so 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 229 

that lie can retaiu his hold if the colt should kick, and 
by occasionally pulling on them teach the colt to keep 
sieadily along, whether he feels any draught on his 
shoulders or not. 

After the colt has been thoroughly practiced in all 
these exercises until he has become perfectly familiar 
with them, and quiet in them, he can be put into a cart 
or sulky. This should be light, with high wheels, so 
that the shafts (which should be very strong) may come 
up fully as high as the stifle. The best place for doing 
this is an open, smooth field. To put the horse before 
the cart or sulky, three persons are required — one to 
hold the colt while the others, each taking hold of one of 
the thills, draw up the carriage behind him, and, shov- 
ing forward and raising the thills, hitch up the traces 
as carefully but quickly as possible. This being done, 
the driver should get upon the seat, and taking the 
reins, allow the person holding the colt to lead him a 
few rods until he takes no notice of the carriage. He 
should then carefully relax his hold and give him up 
to the sole management of the driver, who should make 
little effort to rein or guide him, but simply hold him 
snug enough to keep in a walk — ^fbr he should not at 
first be allowed to trot ; this exercise should be short, 
but should be repeated every day. Many will prefer 
to put the colt beside another horse, but we much pre- 
fer this method for several reasons, first — although he 
may be taught to go quietly with another horse, still 
he will not drive well alone without a new course of 
instruction. In almost all double carriages the pole 
runs so low that the colt can easily kick over the traces ; 
and, should he happen to get over them, he is frighten- 



280 THE MOKGAN HORSE. 

ed, and it is often very difficult to get him quiet, or 
prevent his breaking away. In double harness the 
colt can at any time free himself from the restraint of 
the bit by stopping and allowing the strain of the reins 
to come upon his mate. If a little vexed, he can 
twist about, throw his head over his mate's neck, and 
do many annoying things that he cannot do in the 
sulky or cart. Nothing now remains to complete his 
education but to teach him his paces ; and this, although 
rarely much attended to, is of the greatest consequence, 
as on his perfection in these depends much of his useful- 
ness and value. 

Ko pace is of so much importance to the roadster or 
business horse as the walk, and the young horse should 
be thoroughly drilled in this before any attempt is 
made to push him in the trot. 

The greatest care should be taken to keep each pace 
clear and distinct from the other; when w^alking, he 
should never be allowed to trot a fev»r steps and then 
commence his walk again. In the ordinary training 
of horses very little attention is paid to this, and the 
result is, it is a very rare thing that a horse will bear 
the least urging, while w^'ilking, without breaking at 
once into a trot. When trotting, as in walking, care 
must be taken that he keeps steadily at his pace and 
not slacking into a walk for a step or two ; and be not 
over-anxious to have your colt acquire a reputation for 
a fast trotter, before he has learned to move well in a 
w^alk or a moderate trot. However, he must occasion- 
ally be pushed to his extreme speed in the trot, but he 
should be kept up to it only a few moments at a time . 
and w^henever he has done well, take care to let him 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 231 

walk a sliort time, and reward him witli a kind and 
soothing word. In driving, always keep the reins snug, 
no matter how gentle the horse, or how slow his pace ; 
the gentlest horse may sometimes be frightened, and 
the slowest will sometimes stumble. To drive with 
the reins dangling about your horse is a careless habit, 
and 3^our horse at all times needs a gentle pressure on the 
bit. When pushed to the top of his speed he should 
be kept well in hand, and the reins kept up snug, that 
he may learn to bear well upon them, as it is by means 
of the reins chiefly that the horse, when going at a 
high speed, is kept steady in his pace. While it is 
important that he should take a good snug rein, he 
should not be taught to pull with all his might, for 
then he is not only difficult to manage, but the tremen- 
dous pull is apt to draw in his nose, and by thus bend- 
ing the neck too much, prevent his breathing readily 
and freely. 

The art of driving well, however, can no more be 
taught by any written instructions than the art c^ 
writing : we only intend to state a few plain and simple 
truths that every one who is attempting to break a 
young colt should know and understand. 

Comparativelj^ few persons besides the professed 
jockeys, fully understand the art of developing the 
greatest speed of the horse in a trot, and it would be 
utterly impossible to describe hovv^ the driver may dis- 
cover the first evidence of a break, which may gene- 
rally be noticed several steps before the break occurs : 
still more difficult would it be to describe the manner 
in which the finished driver, by a word and a strain 
upon the reins, fairly lifts his horse over the trouble- 



232 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

some point, without tlie least apparent clieck to Ms 
speed. Yet almost any man wlio has any taste for a 
horse can do much towards improving him in this re- 
spect. A great deal will depend upon the temper and 
life of the horse. The horse of dull and sluggish tem- 
per will bear to be crowded with the whip, and when 
he breaks, may be more severely punished tlian the 
horse of high spirit ; the latter rarely needs any urging to 
send him at once to his best speed, but that yery ardor 
renders him much more likely to overstejD his gait. 
He must not be punished severely for every breaking 
from his gait, for, if he is invariably beaten for it, 
when he finds he is beginning to get " tangled " he is 
frightened, and immediately breaks, and having once 
broken, it is very difficult to get him down to his work 
again. 

Though particularly true of the young horse, that 
he should be kept at the top of his speed but a short 
time, it is also true of the older animal. He should be 
driven daily at a moderate pace, two or three times a 
week, giving him a sharp drive of two or three miles, 
not all the way at the top of his speed, but at a good 
smart gait, occasionally crowding him to the utmost 
stretch of his powers, but in no case should it be kept 
up till he begins to flag and fall off in his pace. It 
will also be found advantageous to drive him over the 
same ground frequently, until he becomes well ac- 
quainted with it. and rouse him to exertion at the same 
points ; by doing this, he will, if possessed of any 
spirit, soon acquire a keen relish for these "bursts." 
Care must be taken that while endeavoring to develop 
the greatest power of the horse in the trot, his other 



BREAKING AND DRIVING. 238 

paces are not neglected ; particularly should great pains 
be taken to accustom him to a good driving or road 
gait, and to teach him to stand quietly and patiently 
. whenever and wherever stopped, until bidden to go. 
The latter is often a difficult lesson, and requires the 
greatest patience on the part of the trainer, and even 
with his utmost skill and j)erseverance he will find 
some horses whose temperaments are so nervous that 
it will never be safe to leave them unfastened. 

During all this course of early training, it must be 
constantl}^ borne in mind that the colt, although old 
enough to learn how to move well in harness, and 
perhaps to drive as quietly and pleasantly as an older 
horse, is not old enough to perform the work of an 
animal fully matured. Two or three miles a day be- 
fore a sulky or very light buggy at a walk, is ample 
work for him when two years or thirty months old. 
This exercise should be gradually increased as he grows 
older, until at four or five years he can be put to ordi- 
nary work ; but he will not often be able to endure 
severe and constant labor until six or seven ; and we 
believe it is the general opinion of sporting men that 
the trotter, if properly treated, will continue to improve 
until ten or twelve years old, if not prematurely put 
to severe work. 

In this connection, a few remarks as to the proper 
manner of preparing horses for, and exhibiting them at 
Agricultural Fairs, or upon other public occasions, may 
not be amiss, especially when we consider that the entire 
neglect which many really fine animals so often meet 
with at these exhibitions, is frequently due entirely 



234 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

to the ignorance, gross carelessness or neglect of tLeir 
owners. 

A farmer lias a fine, powerful three-years-old colt, 
that is descended from excellent stock, and is in fact . 
a fine animal, and he concludes to exhibit him at a 
neighboring Fair; he has been partially broken to lead, 
but, with this exception, is entirely nntrained ; he has 
been left in the pasture entirely to himself; he is in 
high condition, but his flesh is soft from green feed and 
want of exercise ; his mane and tail are matted and 
rusty, and his coat looks faded and dry from long 
exposure to sun and rain. But his owner says the 
judges should look at the horse and not at his training, 
or grooming, and appears to forget that the capacity of 
the horse to receive instruction is one of his valuable 
qualities, and this capacity cannot be shown save by 
training. And how shall we know whether his harsh, 
sunburnt hair can ever look soft and glossy, even with 
the most careful grooming ? 

Even if these things could be determined, such a 
horse would never compare favorably with one which, 
though by nature in no respect superior, is yet equally 
well formed, and has been properly groomed and 
trained. ^Ye should no more expect a man of taste 
would fancy such an animal, than we should expect 
tim to be fascinated with a beautiful woman, of awk- 
Vard manners and untidily dressed. 

All horses intended for exhibitions, at which they 
srill require to be exercised, either in harness or under 
the saddle, should have at least two weeks' preparation, 
in order tliat they may appear to the best advantage ; 



BKEAKING AND DRIVING. 235 

supposing tliem to be in good flesh, and liealtliy at 
the time this preparation commences. If it is intended 
to test the speed or endurance of the animal, he should 
be treated in the same manner as the race-horse is pre- 
pared for the course, and the preparation should com- 
mence much earlier. If, on the contrary, it is contem- 
plated only to exhibit his form and paces, and give him 
moderate exercise throughout the day, much less pains 
need be taken. 

The horse should have a cool, airy, and roomy stall, 
and should be kept covered, if in summer, with a light, 
and if in winter, with a heavy blanket. If he is ver}^ 
fat, his flesh should be reduced by decreasing his feed 
and increasing his exercise ; for no good horseman will 
be pleased Avith an animal whose muscles are entirely 
concealed by huge masses of fat ; and it is a great mis- 
take to endeavor to exhibit horses and hogs in equal 
condition. 

K your horse is in suitable flesh, and is fully ma- 
tured, he should travel not less than six or eight miles 
per day, be thoroughly cleaned morning and night, 
have a liberal allowance of good sweet hay, and just 
grain enough to keep him in the right condition. If his 
exercise is six miles per day at a moderate rate, from four 
to six quarts of oats will usually be sufficient ; should 
he make flesh under this treatment, his feed should be 
decreased, and his exercise increased, enough to coun- 
teract this tendency to take on flesh. The horse may 
be put to any light work if it is convenient ; but if his 
exercise is continued through most of the day, he will 
require much more liberal feed. If the owner has no 
work for him, or is anxious to have his horse make 



236 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

a fine appearance, lie will do well to liave liim take 
his daily exercise in the manner he Avill be exhibited, 
whether in the wagon, sulky, or under the saddle, in 
order that he may appear easy and well accustomed 
to it. Sufficient exercise is not often given, but it is 
of great importance. "Without it, the horse is nervous 
and excited, from being brought into a crowd after long 
confinement to the stable ; his flesh is soft, he frets, per- 
spires freely, the dust sticks to him, he soon looks like 
a coach-horse at the end of a long, hard stage, and, 
before the day is passed, is quite exhausted by his un- 
accustomed exercise. 

In exhibiting your horse, do not attempt to assume 
the character of a jockey, for in the great majority of 
cases the attempt will prove a failure ; and should you 
succeed, Vv^e think you will not find the character 
more creditable to you than that of a sound practical 
farmer or breeder. Not that we believe there is any 
moral or religious principle — any rule of social duty — 
©r any reasonable consideration that forbids a person* 
owning the finest horses, and exhibiting upon suitable 
occasions, and in a proper manner, tlieir form and paces 
to the best advantage, displaying skilful horsemanship 
in the management of them; but, in our judgment, it 
is not in good taste for any one, either in public or 
private, to attempt to assume a character not his own. 

How often do we see youths, aspiring to the distinc- 
tion of being called "fast," driving round the rings at 
our Agiicultural Fairs, pulling, like John Gilpin, upon 
a horse who perchance needs most diligent persuading 
to trot a mile in four minutes, and wounding all sensi- 
tive ears Avith veils and shrieks that Avould shame a 



BREAKING AXD DRIVING. 287 

Bedlamite ; as if the art of driving consisted in pulling 
with might and main upon the bit, and screaming at 
the utmost pitch of their voices. 

How would such men as Woodruff, Wheelan, Pea- 
bodj, or Pilfer swell with indignation, Avere they to be 
present on these occasions, and see their art thus grossly 
caricatured. 



CHAPTEE Xin. 

THE PROPP^P. MANNER OP FEEDING AND DRIVING UPON THE ROAD. 

In tlie ]:>receding chapter, we have offered some sug- 
gestions as to tlie proper metliod of teaching the yonng 
horse to submit cheerfully and fully to the authority 
and direction of his master, and also as to the best 
manner of driving. These last had particular reference 
to the proper manner of driving, to render the manage- 
ment of him eas}^, and to exhibit his form and paces 
to the best advantage. What we say upon the subject 
of driving, in this chapter, has special reference to the 
Eoauner of regulating his speed over the unequal sur- 
fjico of the ordinary roads of the country, supposing 
him to be thus driven daily, as upon a journey or in 
the stage coach. 

With regard to the kind of food that should be 
given the horse when used upon the road, there is 
much difference of opinion, some preferring corn, some 
oats, and some meal, the latter to be fed with the hay 
after the hay has been cut fine and moistened with 
water, and is called "cut feed." The meal used is 
generally a mixture of corn and oats, corn and rye, 
and sometimes of corn, oats and rye. When of corn 
and oats, it is usually of about equal parts of each, but 
the rye, when used, is generally mixed with about 
double its quantity of the other grains. Without stop- 
ping to discuss the chemical analysis of these grains, 

(283 




F L Y I N a MORGAN 




THE GRAISITE STATE MOEGAN 



I FEEDING AND DRIVING. 239 

and deducing therefrom tlieir relative value as articles 
of food, we shall content ourselves with stating which, 
in our opinion, will be found, under ordinary circum- 
stances, the most profitable. Leaving it to the chemist 
to decide which will produce the most fat, and which 
the most muscle, we would suggest that this should 
not alone determine our choice — for when put to rapid 
work, the horse must not only have nutritious food, 
but it must be such as will digest readily, in order that 
digestion may be performed as much as possible dur- 
ing the hours of rest. Driving the horse rapidly 
when his stomach is filled with undigested food, is not 
only injurious, but dangerous. Again, sudden and 
entire changes in diet are decidedly injurious ; and if a 
person, when travelling, endeavors to use a kind of 
food that is not easily and readily obtained at the 
various places where he stops to feed, he will fre- 
quently be compelled to give his horse a kind of grain 
to which he is altogether unaccustomed. In those 
parts of the country where barley is raised, we should 
use it, preferring it to any other food, provided the 
horse is not driven very rapidly ; but as in most sec- 
tions of the country barley cannot readily be procured, 
we should recommend oats, as they are not only excel- 
lent food, but can be almost everywhere obtained with- 
out difficulty. 

As to the quantity that should be fed, no definite 
rule can be given, as the quantity must be varied to 
suit tlio wants of different animals. From eight to 
sixteen quarts, and usually from ten to twelve quarts 
per day, will be found sufficient. 

Where ground oats (oatmeal) can be had they are 



240 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

always to be preferred, as they are sooner digested. 
The feed, wlietlier oats or oatmeal, should be moistened 
with water, as this makes it more f>Tateful to the ani- 
mal, facilitates digestion, and it is thus more easily and 
thoroughly masticated. This should be given regular, 
and not more than three feeds in twenty-four hours. 
The largest should be given at night, and the lightest 
at noon, unless the horse is allowed from two to three 
hours rest, in which case the noon feed may be in- 
creased. In no case should either water or food be 
given when the animal is very Avarm from exercise. 

The first and most important duty that the traveller 
should in no case neglect, is to look personally to the 
care of his horse, to see that he is properl}'- fed and 
watered, that he is put in a comfortable stall, that he 
is well groomed and ^yc]\ littered. The man who con- 
siders the care of the l^orso he is driving unworthy his 
attention, or who from carelessness neglects it, ought 
never to leave home imattended by some person whose 
dignity will not suffer from attention to the comforts j 
of his f nthful servant, and who is sulficiently thought- 
ful to recollect them. This care of tlie horse is not 
only demanded by every principle of humanity, but 
also by regard for our ov/n interest, since no horse, 
however sound and enduring, can last long under 
severe labor without constant and judicious care. It 
is hardly necessary for us to say that the fact that the 
animal is a hired one, in no vray lessens the duty, but 
rather seems to increase it. The man Avho fails to take 
suitable care of a hired horse is not only wanting in 
humanity, but he cannot properly set up any great 
claim to thorough honesty, for he is neglecting an ani- 



FEEDING AND DR1VI^'G. 241 

mal tliat is endeavoring to serve liim, and wronging 
his owner out of part of the consideration for its 
services. 

Again, we say to all those who have occasion to 
travel on horseback, or in private carriages, put not 
your faith in grooms and ostlers, 'for they are fallible, 
but attend personally to the care of your horse, and be 
sure you will not repent it, but will find yourself 
doubly repaid for the little trouble by finding him 
come out bright, jfresh, and. vigorous in the morning, 
his energies renewed, and fully able and willing to 
serve you. 

When stopping for the night, endeavor to secure a 
good, roomy, and quiet stall, not too close and con- 
fined, nor yet so situated that a current of air will blow 
into it ; see that there are no holes in the manger 
through which he may waste a portion of his food ; see 
that the floor and sides are strong and sound, and the 
latter so constructed tha.t he will not be annoyed b}^ 
animals in the neighboring stalls. Take off the har- 
ness and have him thoroughly rubbed. If wet with 
sweat, whether in summer or winter, do not leave him 
until perfectly dry. If the weather is warm and the 
roads dusty, have the lips, nostrils, and eyes wiped 
out with a damp sponge ; nothing is more grateful to 
him, and anything that promotes his comfort and rest 
is of positive service to him. 

If the horse has not been accustomed to the harness 
regularly, or if the harness is one in which he has not 
been used, examine the various places where it will 
be likely to chafe him, particularly the shoulders. If 
the skin is anywhere broken during the first day's 
11 "^ 



242 TIJE MORGAN HOESE. 

drive, be sure there is sometiiing wrong about tlie har- 
ness that must be at once attended to. If the skin has 
not been broken, you may judge whether the shoulders 
have been chafed or "scalded" b}^ watcLing the drying 
of the hair. If there are any spots that remain wet 
after the surrounding parts are dry, it is chafed, and 
the shoulders should be washed in cool (but not cold) 
water and castile soap, the soap assisting in cleansing 
the skin, thus opening the pores and promoting a 
healthy action. Some horsemen wash the shoulders 
every night, but we do no think it generally necessary. 
Before putting him in his stall, have any old hay 
that may be in the rack or manger taken out, and the 
manocer or box in which he is to have his food cleaned. 
If you have driven him hard, or if he is warm, do not 
feed him for half an hour. If he is very dry, give him 
three or four swallows of water, not very cold. In 
half an hour, give him six or eight quarts of water, 
and a little bright, clean hay, free from mould or dust. 
In the course of an hour offer him more v/ater, and 
give him his allowance of grain and more hay. See 
that he has a good, dry, deep bed, for the horse enjoys 
a good soft bed, after a hard day's work, as well as his 
master. Having thus seen him properl}^ cared for, 
leave him to rest. 

The following morning do not feed him, or any way 
disturb him until sunrise, or at least until after day- 
light. The horse, unless very tired, rarel}^ lies down 
until after midnight, and does not require more than 
from three to five hours sleep, and this he will usually 
take during the latter part of the night. 

The first thing in the morning should be to see if 



FEEDING AND DRIVING. 24S 

tie has eat'.n up all the feed given him the night before. 
If not, he should be fed sparingly, taking care to re- 
move all the hay and grain that he has left of his last 
night's feed. Before feeding, offer him a little water. 
If he drinks freely, and eats with apparent relish his 
morning's allowance, you may safely conclude that he 
is well, and that his previous day's drive has not in- 
jured him. If he has been properly groomed over- 
night he will want nothing more than a light brushing, 
and in an hour after he has eaten his feed he may be 
harnessed and commence his day's work. 

With regard to the proper method of driving, no 
rules can be laid down that will enable an inexperi- 
enced person to drive well, practice being as necessary 
to enable one to drive well as to write well. Still, 
some general rules can be given that will be of service 
to the new beginner. 

With regard to the rate at which the horse should 
be driven, little can be said, as this should depend on 
a variety of circumstances, the speed of the annual, his 
powers of endurance, the distance to be travelled, and 
the urgency of haste in the business for which the 
journey is performed. 

Supposing that there is no extraordinary necessity 
of haste, and that the journey is to be continued for 
several successive days, care should be taken not to 
push the horse the first Uvo or three days, but let him 
get seasoned and accustomed to his work. If worked 
too hard the first two days, he refuses his food, be- 
comes dull and stupid, loses flesh rapidly, and in a 
short time, if he is not dangerously sick, he is entirely 
unable to work. 



244 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Whatever distance you intend to drive in tlie course 
of the day, drive moderately for the first hour ; many 
a fine horse is ruined by being driven fast on a full 
stomach. After the first hour, consider the distance 
3'ou have to go, and the time you have to accomplisn 
it in, and endeavor to drive at an equal rate. Not that 
you are to drive at the same rate up hill and down, 
or drive each mile at exactly the same speed, but sup- 
posing the general character of the road to be the 
same through the entire distance, endeavor to drive 
an equal number of miles per hour. 

Thus suppose you have sixty miles to travel, and 
have nine hours to perform it in, drive thirty or thirty- 
five miles at the rate of eight miles per hour, then 
stop for an hour, or an hour and a half, to give him 
food and rest. Take off the harness and have him 
rubbed with straw until he is dry, or at least until the 
dust and sweat are removed, then give liim a little 
water and his grain. We are aware that most travel- 
lers do not remove the harness at noon, but it should 
always be done, especially in hot weather. 

Too much time must not be spent in rubbing and 
cleaning, and as soon as sufficiently cool, the horse 
should have his feed, for this and rest he needs more 
than grooming. . Befoi*e starting in the afternoon, offer 
liim a little water. Drive as in the morning, except 
that there is less need of caution for the first hour, and 
you may drive at the usual speed for the entire remain- 
ing distance. 

We are aware that it has been sometimes recom- 
mended to pursue an entirely different course, namely, 
to drive at a high speed for a few hours, and then give 



FEEDING AND DRIVING. 245 

the horse a long rest, and again drive at the same high 
speed for the balance of the distance. Thus, in per- 
forming a distance of sixty miles in nine hours, they 
would drive thirty miles in three hours, stop three 
hours, and drive the remaining thirty miles in the 
remaining three hours. 

This advice would seem to be founded on the belief 
that it is the number of hours which a horse is worked 
that fatigues him, without reference to the speed ; 
indeed, we remember to have seen this principle 
broadly and distinctly stated, that ^'it is the all-day 
work that knock up horses, and not the rate at which 
they are driven." This seems to us a great and pal- 
pable error. 

Let us consider for a moment what is the average 
rate of speed of the race-horse during the entire time 
occupied in a repeating race of four miles. Take, for 
instance, the race over- the Union Course, Long Island, 
for the Jockey Club purse of $600, October 13, 1832. 
In this race twenty miles were run in 41m. 40s. actual 
running time, but allo^\dng thirty minutes between 
each heat, which is the shortest time allowed for cool- 
ing and resting the horses, and the total time occupied 
in running the twenty miles was 2h. 41m. 403., or a 
little less than eight miles per hour. A good hack or 
livery horse would do this, and show few signs of 
having been driven. It may be said that this is an 
extreme case ; very true, but having shown that our 
theory is correct in this case, may we not properly 
claim that something more than simple assertion is 
necessary to establish its unsoundness, in cases where 
the speed is indeed less, but the distance greater. But 



246 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

we need not rest the question here, there are striking 

illustrations of the soundness of our theory ; that the 
distance and time in Avhich it must be accomplished 
being given, every portion of the distance should be 
accomplished in a corresponding proportion of the 
time, nights and the necessary time for giving one 
feed at noon being of course excepted. 

The truck horses in the cities are worked all day 
and every day, in rain or sunshine, yet how much 
better their condition, and how much longer they last, 
than the city livery horses. The latter are driven but 
a small portion of their time, but are driven at a high 
speed. The stage-driver who rushes his team over 
one half the road, and walks them over the remainder, 
will never make ''good time," for his team cannot 
make up by high speed the time he has idled away on 
the road, or at his stopping places, and the appearance 
of his horses will bear ample evidence that the attempt 
to do so has been injurious. 

The great art of driving horses long distances at 
good speed withou.t injury, consists in keeping them 
steady at a given pace without fretting or worrying 
them, restraining them when inclined to go too fast, 
urging them when necessary, and doing either without 
annoying them. Other things being equal, the horse 
who does his work in a quiet steady way, will last 
much longer than the one which frets and is restless. 

If your horse is high tempered, and inclined to 
travel faster than you think best for him, you cannot 
take too much pains in starting him easily and quietly. 
If he takes hold of the bit and is inclined to push off 
at too high speed, keep a firm but steady pull on the 



FEEDING A:N^D DRIVING. 247 

bit, but you must rely principally upon the voice to 
quiet laim. Speak to him in a calm, gentle and sooth- 
ing tone, and you will be surprised at the effect it will 
have upon him. There are but few horses which 
will not settle quietly into a walk in the course 
of half an hour, under mild and soothing treat 
ment. If your horse is a little dull, and needs urging, 
drive him with a constant, though gentle pressure upon 
the bit. When ho needs urging, speak to him in a 
tone that he will not full to hear, and enforce instant 
and prompt obedience Vvdtli the whip. Be carefal not 
to urge him by speaking to him when you do not 
intend to insist upon his paying attention to you. 
Never use the whip for any other purpose than to 
punish the horse for not minding you. Kothing will 
sooner perfect a horse in dulness and stupidity than 
constant tapping with the whip, and constant urging 
with the voice ; he -soon gets so accustomed to both 
that he cares nothing for either, and the most vigorous 
twitching of the reins — the most authoritative com- 
mands, and the most industrious though mild applica- 
tions of the Vv'hip, result in nothing but a slight frisk 
of the tail or a gentle toss of the head. Although the 
greatest art in driving upon the road consists in driv- 
ing at the required speed without fretting the horse, 
the knowledge of the proper time to urge or to restrain 
him is almost equall}^ indispensable. This, of course, 
will depend upon the smoothness of the road, the 
ascent or descent of the ground, and the weight car- 
ried ; much will depend upon the animal. 

Owhig to difference in form and gait, some horses 
that climb hills with dlfficultv can descend them rap- 



M8 THE MORGAN HOKSE. 

idly and easily, and again others prefer to walk wliere- 
ever the ground descends rapidly, but will trot up 
ordinary hills to the very crest with little apparent 
effort. This difference in the form and gait of the 
horse should be constantly borne in mind, and he 
should be allowed to go slowly where it is evidently 
difficult for him to move fast. As a general rule^ the 
horse should be made to walk wherever the ground 
ascends or descends rapidly. If driven rapidly up 
steep hills, he is almost exhausted v/hen he reaches 
the top ; and if driven rapidly down, then, it is dan- 
gerous to the passengers, because his footing is insecure, 
and he is liable to fall ; and if the practice be continued, 
it will break up the stoutest fore limbs, by the ibrce 
with ^vliich the feet come upon the ground. 

^v7here the surface of the road is smooth, and the 
ground slightlj^ descending, the horse should be driven 
at a tolerably rapid rate, especially if he has a heavy 
load, for upon this ground the load, whether great or 
small, will move easily, and when the load is heavy the 
horse will be compelled to walk up most of the rising 
ground. Yv^hen the load is light, and the speed eight 
miles per hour or more, the horse should be kept at a 
moderate trot on ascending ground, except up steep 
hills, for it will distress him less to trot over ground 
slightly ascending than to walk over such ground, and 
make u[) the time by increased speed on the level and 
descending. 

'When the road is rough and uneven, endeavor to 
shun rough spots. To do this well, keep constant and 
careful watch of the track, and avoid the bad spots by 
turning a little before you get up to them, instead of 



FEEDING AND DRIVING. 249 

"waiting until you are close upon them, and then pull 
your horse out of the road with a sudden jerk, that 
irritates and frets him, and injures his mouth. It is 
better to take the jolt, unless it is dangerous, than to 
do this. After your horse has once become accustomed 
to turning out for the bad spots, it will be very little 
trouble to do it, and it will be much easier both for 
tlie horse and the passengers. 

Did our space permit, we should like to say much 
more upon this subject, as it is one in which we take 
much interest ; but must content ourselves with the 
imperfect directions above given, repeating the remark 
•A'e made at the commencement of this chapter, that 
however full and correct the directions, no one can 
learn to drive without practice, any more than he can 
learn to write simply by reading an able treatise on 
penmanship. 

11* 



CHAPTER XIY. 

HINTS TO PURCHASEKS OF MORGAN OR OTHER HORSES. 

It is not to be supposed tliat any descriptions can 
be written, or any rules laid down, that will give the 
keen, discriminating eye, the fine perceptions with 
regard to form and motion, the rapid, searching glance 
at defects, that the true and practiced horseman seems 
to realize at the first view, enabling him to form a 
tolerably correct judgment of the value of an animal 
almost as soon as he sees it; some suggestions, however, 
can be made which will aid ordinary purchasers. 

Before a man attempts to purchase a horse, he should 
first determine for himself what kind of horse he re- 
quires, "both as to size and general qualities, since the 
value of the horse to his owner depends very much 
on his adaptation to the kind of business required of 
him. As to size, we think all experience shows that 
medium size, is the best for ordinary use ; such horses 
we shall find possessed of the most compact forms, the 
most rugged constitutions, the most nimble, easy, and 
graceful motions. Though it is very true that a good 
horse may have a bad color, yet as a bad color is to 
some, perhaps most buyers, a serious objection, such 
should be avoided. White, light gray, light sorrel, 
cream-colored, and spotted, are the most objectionable, 

\ (25Q) 



I 



r 
> 

> 
c 
7; 




HINTS TO PUECHASEPvS. 2ol 

and should be avoided. Bay, cliestnut, black, and 
dark brown, are almost universally esteemed tlie best, 
and liorses of these colors are worth more in everv 
market than horses of the colors before named. 

When the purchaser is unaccustomed to horses, we 
would advise him, after having determined what kind 
of a horse he wants, to engage some one to assist him 
who has had more experience, especially if he is about 
to purchase of ^ stranger, for in the latter case he will 
not only be liable to misjudge as to the justness of the 
animal's proportions, but also as to his soundness and 
vices, for a vast many faults and defects may by artful 
jockeys be concealed from the inexperienced eye, and 
sometimes even from the closest and most intelligent 
examination. 

If, however, the purchaser can avail himself of no 
such assistance, or chooses to trust to his own judgment, 
he cannot be too ca-utious or circumspect. When you 
enter the stable, observe carefully the way tlic owner 
approaches his horse ; if, as soon as he comes withi n 
hearing, he speaks to him in a loud, sharp voice, that 
makes the horse spring up in his stall as if frightened, 
look out for some defect in his limbs. If much lame, 
it will be seen wlien he is moved, but if it is very 
slight, you may not then notice it. If he comes up to 
ihe horse very carefully, and seems a little cautious 
About going into the stall where he is, you may justly 
suspect he is not perfectly kind and pleasant-tempered. 
If he approaches the horse in an easy, careless, but 
quiet way, you may reasonably expect that the horse 
has no such vices to hide, and you will not suspect him 
of lameness, though it should not prevent your watch- 



252 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

ing carefully every motion of liis limbs to see if you 
can detect it. Mark liow tlie horse stands, how he is 
hitched, and what kind of a halter he has on. If he 
stands with one of his fore-feet far in advance of the 
other, look out for founder. If he is fastened with 
more than ordinary care, see if you can observe any 
signs of his having attempted to untie his halter with 
his teeth. If the halter is fastened very tight round 
the throat, be may have a trick of slipping it off, or he 
may be a cribber. A largo strap, buckled close round 
the. throat, will often prevent cribbing. 

Youatt considers crib-biting unsoundness ; and it is, 
at all events, a very bad habit, that materially injures 
the sale of a horse. If the manger shows signs of 
being bitten by the horse, do not purchase the animal 
until you have seen him eat. The teeth of an old 
"cribber" almost invariably show signs of this habit, 
being much worn on the outer edge, but in young 
horses it will not always be noticed. When the horse 
is turned out of his stall and faces the light, observe 
whether he shuns it, and partially closes his eyes; if so, 
his eyes are weak ; if, on the contrary, he looks boldly 
about, Yv^ith a bright and lively expression, his eyes 
are not only good, but you may infer that he is both 
spirited and tractable. Examine the head carefully. 
If it is thoroughly good, light, lean, and graceful, with 
tapering, sharp-pointed ears, ever moving and restless, 
the eyes animated and |)rominent, the forehead broad, 
the muzzle firm, the nostrils large, and the whole well 
set upon the neck, you may be pretty sure that it be- 
longs to a good horse. 

Jf the eye is not bright and lively, it should be 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 258 

carefully examined, especially if tlie animal is from the 
Western or Southern States, where diseases of the eyes 
are more common than at the North and East. Some- 
times the eye will look very natural, and the horse 
appear bright and well, yet be perfectly blind. If the 
horse is entirely blind you may easily detect it, for 
though some horses move about very easily and hand- 
ily when perfectly blind, you will soon notice the 
defect, if you watch him and suffer him to move about 
freely. If you are suspicious that, although not en- 
tirely bhnd, his sight is defective, you may determine 
it by passing some small object like a stalk of hay 
rapidly before the eye, and at a short distance from it, 
taking care that the substance be not large enough to 
create any perceptible motion of the atmosphere, for a 
blind horse will wink at the least unnatural current 
of air. 

The general appearance of the head is a pretty sure 
index of the age of the animal, and the inexperienced 
buyer will do well to rely as much upon this general 
appearance, as upon the appearance of the teeth ; for 
with a saw and a firing iron, old teeth may be made 
to resemble so closely tho3e of a young horse, as to 
deceive even pretty good judges. In the old horse 
the eyes are usually a little sunken, and the hollows 
over the eyes are deepened, the lips are less firm and 
close, nd the mouth shows the long use of the bit. 

If the head is satisfactory, next examine the legs. 

ee that they are not too long, are vvdde, flat^ hony^ and 

free from flesh below the knees and hocks. When 

the muscles are well developed, and stand well out 

from the bone, and are free from any fat or meat, they 



254 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

can be distinctly traced by tlie eye throngTi the skin. 
See that the horse stands sqnarely and equally upon 
them, that they are neither stretched too far apart nor 
gathered too much under him. Examine closely 
whether there be any unnatural enlargements or 
bunches on either leg. If none can be detected by the 
eye, then pass the half-closed hand carefully down 
each one, pressing the leg moderately, to determine 
whether there are any bunches or scars concealed by 
the hair. 

Look carefully at the hocks for spavins, curbs or 
thoroughpin, for although the latter do not constitute 
unsoundness, yet they are objectionable. Pass the 
hand carefully down the back sinews to detect any 
unevenness in the muscle. If any little bunches are 
found, or the cord is anywhere enlarged, examine care- 
fully for any scar that may indicate the injury was an 
external one. If there are no signs of any such injury, 
and especially if the muscle at this point feels sore, 
reject the animal. The back sinews have been strained, 
if not ruptured, and there is little chance that he will 
ever be able to endure hard service. Search for 
bunches on the inside of the fetlocks ; if you find them, 
or scars, you will attribute them to the horse's cutting. 
If the scars are old, and the horse being in very high 
flesh, yet travels very close, it will be wise to reject 
him, for in ordinary flesh he will be likely to cut, and 
this is one of the most unpleasant defects in the horse, 
and one that it is very difficult to remedj^. Press the 
hand closely and carefully around the pastern, for ring- 
bone, or clingfasts, that are just commencing to form, 
will be detected more easily by the hand than the eye ; 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 255 

this is the more important, as ringbone is one of the 
worst kinds of unsoundness, and the horse may not at 
all times, and in all instances, be sufficiently lame to 
enable the buyer to detect it. 

The knees are often too carelessly examined. It is 
not enough that there is no trembling of the joint, that 
it shuts back well, and is well shaped. If there are 
any bunches, hard or soft, or any scars in front, it is a 
pretty sure sign that the horse is a stumbler, and is 
unsafe. Just below the knees and upon the inside of 
the leg look for splints ; if small and removed from the 
joint, they may in no way affect the usefulness of the 
animal, but they are unsightly and objectionable. 

The feet require the closest scrutiny. Eeject horses 
that have split or flat hoofs, as they will be fit only 
for slow work. Where the feet are high and narrow 
at the heels, it is a serious objection, as such feet are 
very liable to founder and other diseases. The legs 
and feet proving satisfactory thus far, take a look at 
the body. K the ribs are round, the back short, and 
his wind good, little more need be required. 

To determiine the soundness of the wind is some- 
times difficult, especially if the horse is in high condi- 
tion and has been dieted and medicated with the viev;- 
of concealing some defect in it. The best way to de- 
termine this is to m.ake him trot briskly about one 
hundred rods, and as soon as he has done this let him. 
stand perfectly still and watch closely his breathing. 
If he breathes easily, and without any apparent effort, 
and especially if as soon as he stops, he draws one or 
two long breaths that fill the lungs to their utmost 
capacity without any appearance of distress, his wind 



256 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

may be pronounced good ; but if tbere is tlie least 
evidence of painful respiration, or catching for breath, 
something is wrong, and the animal should be rejected. 
Heaves, or broken-wind, is a common disease at the 
East, but at the West it is comparatively very rare ; 
hence the purchaser will be more on his guard to detect 
the disease in a horse raised at the East than in one 
raised at the West. 

AYhile the horse is moving, notice carefully his ac- 
tion, and to do this take such a position that he can 
move by you on level ground, and at a sufficient dis- 
tance from you to give a good view of him. Notice 
particularly the action of the forelegs, see that the joint 
at the shoulder plays freely, that the feet are not raised 
too high, that he reaches out boldly in his step with 
his forelegs, and throws his weight freely upon them. 
If he does this, you may be pretty sure the feet are 
sound and good, and the shoulders unhurt. On the 
contrary, if the horse does not carry his feet well for- 
ward, but takes a short, mincing step, and puts down 
his feet cautiously, they are unsound ; and if the legs 
seem stiff, and tied up at the shoulders, he is chest- 
foundered. These things should be carefully observed 
when the horse is first moved, for if he is but a little 
stiff in his shoulders, the stiffness generally disappears 
entirely after a little exercise. 

After having carefnlly noticed these things, and also 
his general style and appearance, take such a position 
that you can watch the movement of liis feet as he 
comes directly towards you and goes directly from 
you ; see that he carries forward his feet in a straight 
line, and that he does not travel too close or too wide, 



HINTS TO PUECHASERS. 257 

for if very close lie will be apt to cut or interfere, and 
if too wide, his gait will be labored and awkward. 

While the horse is moving, see if he hesitates to 
turn short and quick ; if he does, and appears in the 
least stiff in the back, you may conclude that he has 
been strained there, and a horse that has been once 
severely strained in his back, rarely, if ever, fully 
recovers, and is unfit for any kind of business ; but 
if the back is such as we have described, there will be 
little danger of this complaint. 

These defects, at which we have glanced, by no 
means comprise all the diseases or defects of the horse, 
nor are the methods we have pointed out in all cases 
the only ones. We have aimed only to glance at the 
most serious and ordinary defects, and point out the 
simplest means of detecting them. Some quite com- 
mon defects we have not noticed, as, for instance, 
string-halt. This is not considered unsoundness in 
ordinary circumstances, and where it is so bad as to 
become seriously objectionable, it cannot fail to be 
noticed by the most careless observer. To some, this 
kind of examination may seem tedious and laborious, 
and to the inexperienced horseman it may be so ; but 
the horseman of taste, with a practiced eye, will deter- 
mine the freedom of an animal from the objections we 
have referred to, in a small fraction of the time it has 
taken us to describe them. Yv^e have said notliinor 
upon those subjects that are merely matters of taste, 
as to enter into a discussion of them would occupy 
more space than we could devote to it. 

One wishes a horse that shall have a bold, resolute 
style of action, and a high temper, that prompts him 



258 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

to keep Tip a constant and heavy pull upon tlic reins. 
Anotlier wislies a liorse of less spirit, with a quiet, 
pleasant temper, and a mouth that only feels the bit, 
that is never restless, never pulls, and so gentle that 
his wife and children can manage him. Yet he does 
not want a dull, stupid animal ; on the contrary, one 
that is bright and lively, and that when gently urged 
will move off at a lively pace. 

One Avants a horse that is round and smooth, with 
soft hair, a beautiful color, and a proud, showy style, 
that will attract the admiration of his neighbors, but 
cares little about its speed upon the road, or its powers 
of endurance. While his next door neighbor cares far 
less for the showy style and the beautiful color, and 
values his horse solely on account of his useful quali- 
ties. In short, no rules can be laid down that will 
determine the excellence of the animal in these respects, 
as so much depends upon the precise service which is 
demanded of him, and the taste of the purchaser. 

Although our people differ much in their opinion 
as to the color, style of movement, &c., of their buggy 
Jiorses, yet the anxiety to own a free, nimble driver, is 
nearly universal, and might almost be styled a national 
characteristic. 

But the passion for horses is co-extensive with man's 
acquaintance with them, and is confined to no nation, 
no portion of the human family ; indeed, there are com- 
})aratively few persons who take no interest in his his- 
tory, no pleasure in training or using him. 

Other animals may be as useful to man, but thev 
do not so lay hold of human affections and sympathies. 
He is at once his companion and servant in his long 



HINTS TO PURCHASERS. 259 

and weary journeys. With the same patience and 
unflinching courage, he carries his rider safely over 
the scorching sands of the desert, or treads with care- 
ful step the icy footpaths of the mountains. He waits 
Avith silent patience his master's pleasure, and moves 
only at his bidding. Heat and cold do not shake his 
courage, hunger and thirst do not drive him to rebel- 
lion. The soothing sound of his master's voice stills 
his restlessness when he wishes him to be quiet, and 
the cheering, encouraging tones of the same voice 
rouse him to the noblest efforts to do his will. 



CHiiPTER XY. 

The following pedigrees and description of stallions, 
it is hardly necessary to say, comprise only a small 
portion of the total number that have been and are 
now bred from. But though thus incomplete, we be- 
lieve the list comprises all the grandsons of the Justin 
Morgan, of any note. Of some of these we have been 
able to learn but little, though we have spared no 
pains to obtain j^s full and reliable a history and de- 
scription of them as j)ossible. The difficulty of col- 
lecting such facts, scattered over a wide extent of 
country, rarely published, and often unchronicled, save 
in the memories of individuals, can never be fully un- 
derstood, unless by those who have been engaged in 
some similar undertaking. Although we have made 
every exertion to render these pedigrees and descrip- 
tions reliable, and believe tbey will prove in the main 
correct, yet there are so many ways in which errors 
may creep in, and so many causes of confusion, that 
we dare not assert that they are perfectly accurate. 

The two most fruitful causes of error and confusion 
are, the use of some com.mon name to designate differ- 
ent animals; and second, the frequent changes that 
have been made in the name of the same animal. 

(260) 



PEDIGREES. 261 

Thus there seems to be no end to the young Black 
Hawks, young Bulrushes, and other similar names. 
There seems to be a perfect mania for names that have 
been distinguished, as if it in some way enhanced the 
value of the animal. Again, some animals seem to 
hav^e changed names as often as they changed owners, 
and even some that were always owned by one person 
are yet known by several different names. The Eoyal 
Morgan is known in Maine as Morgan Rattler; in 
some parts of Vermont, as the Crane horse ; and in 
others, as the Steele horse ; and by some as the Cham- 
berlain colt; many persons who know him under one 
of these names never heard of either of the others. 

Where we have described more than one animal of 
the same name, wc have numbered them in the order 
in wdiicli they were foaled. Thus we have " Green 
Mountain," and " Green Mountain second." The form- 
er sired by " Sherman," and the latter by " Gifibrd." 
Many persons wdio know the latter, never heard of 
the former, and hence the necessity of distinguishing 
them as we have done. 

The height and weight is not always the result of 
actual measurement, and consequently will not be in 
all cases perfectly correct. Where two estimates have 
been given ns of the height or weight of the same ani- 
mal, we have invariably adopted the lowest, deeming 
it better to err in this direction than to overstate the 
size. We shall feel obliged to any one who will inform 
■us of any mistakes thc}^ may discover, and should a 
second edition be called for, we shall be most happy 
to correct them. 



262 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

ASHUELOT MORGAN • 
Was foaled in June, 1845, the property of Ezekiol Flint, of Win- 
chester, N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g 
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam formerly owned 
in Superior, C. E., and sired by Eagle. Ashuelot Morgan is a 
chestnut, with silver-colored mane and tail, both hind feet white up 
to the fetlock. He is 16 hands high, and weighs 1,315 lbs. 

Although very large, he is compact, moves in good style, has 
excellent action for a horse of his size, and is a favorite parade 
horse. In 1855 he received the first premium of the New Hamp- 
shire State Agricultural Society. He is now owned by Uberto 
Bowen, Esq., of Richmond, N. H. 

ALLEN HORSE 

Was bred by Pliny Allen, of Lyme, N. H. Sired by Bulrush, 
g sire, Justin Morgan. Color, blood bay, 15 hands high, weight, 
1,000 lbs. His reputation as a stock horse is good. He is now 
owned by Jonathan Currier, of Hanover, N. H. 

ALBAN HORSE 

Was foaled in September, 1839, the property of Colonel John 
Hackett, of Hancock, Yt. Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gifford, 
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a gray, 
sired by Bliss horse. His color is gray, spotted with chestnut and 
bay, is 14| hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. He is a good horse ; 
his stock come to maturity at an early age, and sell well. When 
four months old, Col. Hackett sold him to Wm. Alban, of Ran- 
dolph, Yt. Mr. Alban kept him till he was seven years old, and 
sold him to Mr. Skinner, of Royalton, Yt. Mr. Skinner sold him 
to Lewis Gilman, of Bradford, Yt., and 'he to Leonard Kibbel, of 
the same place, who now ownes him. 

ANDREWS HORSE 

Was foaled in 1849, the property of William R. Andrews, of 

Derby, Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 

Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, 14 hands high, sired by Woodbury. 

Andrews horse is a dark bay, 14^ hands high, weighs 1,000 lbs,, 



PEDIGREES. 263 

and is a good moving horse. He is still owned by Mr. Andrews, 
at Derby, Yt. 

AMEEICAN EAGLE 
Was foaled May 16tb, 1852, tbe property of Joshua Saunderson, 
of Petersham, Mass. Sired by Black Morgan, g sire, Morgan Em- 
pire, g g sire. Green Mountain 2d, g g g sire, Gilford, g g g g sire, 
Woodbury, g g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Jet black, 15 J hands 
high, weighs 1,070 lbs. Good style and action, spirited and grace- 
ful. Now owned by Joshua Saunderson, Piitsfield, Mass. Dam 
said to be an English mare, from a horse imported into Greenfield, 
Mass. 

ANDREW JACKSON 

Was foaled June 18th, 1852. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sher- 
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Jenkins, who took the 
first premium at the State Fair, R. I., in 1855. Andrew Jackson is 
jet black, and weighs 1,050 lbs. He is a well-shaped and fine mov- 
ing horse. He received a premium at the United States .Fair in 
Boston, 1855, also at the Rhode Island State Fair, and Worcester 
Co. Fair, Mass. This horse is now owned by Harrison Bacon, of 
Barre, Mass. 

ADDISON 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of John Jackson, of Brandon, Yt. 
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam, celebrated Hamilton mare. Ruby, purchased by Mr. Jackson 
when four years old for $750. 

Addison is 16 hands high, weighs 1,175 lbs., is jet black, with 
heavy mane and tail, high, bold style and good movement for a horse 
of his size. Now owned by Z. Nearing, of Orwell, Yt. He received 
the firet premium in his class at the Fair of the Yermont State Agri- 
cultural Society in 1855. 

ARABIAN MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1852, the property of Epaphro Seymour, of Brat- 
tleborough. Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, Old Jenny, sired by Sherman, g dam, by Arab, a 
thorough-bred Ai'abian horse, ov.-ned by Col. Jonas Blake, of Brat- 



264 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

tleborougli, Yt. This coit is chestnut, and exhibits in a high degree 
the valuable qualities of the Morgan and Arabian. He is now owned 
by Horatio Seymour, Jr., and Dr. M. M. Seymour in Buffalo, Erie 
County, N.Y.* 

BULKUSH 

"Was foaled in 1812 or 1813, the property of Moses Belknap, sired 
by Justin Morgan. See Chapter VII. 

BULRUSH MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1845, the property of Alvin Hovey, of Brookfield, 
Vt. Sired by Clarke horse, g sire. Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, sired by Morgan Eagle. Color dark bay, is 15 hands 
high, and weighs 1,060 lbs. He is a close-knit and well- formed 
horse, with good limbs and feet. His style of movement is good, 
and his temper excellent. At the Vermont State Fair in 1855, he 
received the second premium in his class. 

BLACK HAWK 

Was foaled in 1833, the property of Wingate Twombly, of 
Greenland (formerly of Durham), N. H. Sired by Sherman, g 
sire, Justin Morgan. His dam was raised in New Brunswick, and 
is described as a half-blood English mare, a very fine animal, 
black, and a fast trotter. When four years old, Black Hawk was 
purchased by Benj. Thurston, of Lowell, Mass., for a family horse, 
and kept for that purpose until 1844, when he was purchased by 
David Hill, Esq., of Bridport, Vermont, by whom he is now owned. 
Celebrated horses, like great men, must have their enemies, and 
this horse has had his. A few years since a rumor was circulated 
that he was not sired by Sherman, but by a French horse called 
Paddy. The only foundation for such a report seems to have been 
the resemblance between the two horses in color, both being black. 
Mr. Hill might well have taken no notice of this rumor, as he had 
produced the affidavit of the owner of Sherman, in 1832, testifying 
that Sherman was coupled with the dam of Black Hawk that sea- 
son, and that the following season he received payment for the 
same. The testimony of Mr. Bellows being unimpeached, the 
rumor might seem amply refuted and silenced, but Mr. Hill did not 
choose to rely solely on this affidavit. lie obtained affidavits or 



PEDIGEEES. 265 

letters from the breeder and others who had every opportunity of 
knowing the facts, fully and amply sustaining the affidavit of Mr. 
Bellows. These papers were published, and have pretty effectually 
settled the question. The parties who first circulated the above 
Tumor could have had little or no acquaintance with him or his 
stock, for with the exception of color, he bears a strong resemblance 
in most particulars to the family of which he is a member. In 
size, compactness, style of action, great muscular development, 
temperament, and endurance, he exhibits their distinguishing traits 
in a high degree. His stock, though generally larger, being from 
larger dams, exhibit much the same characteristics, and their color 
when not black, is almost without exception bay or chestnut, the 
latter color being quite common. Many of his colts have the same 
marks in the face and upon the feet that belong to Sherman and his 
dam. We never saw a gray, a white, or a cream-colored horse from 
him. 

Black Hawk is a little under fifteen hands high, and weighs about 
ten hundred pounds. His compact, symmetrical, and muscular form, 
and nervous, elastic style of action, give unmistakable evidence of 
the speed and endurance he has shown upon the turf and road ; and 
although now twenty-three years old, his eye has lost none of its 
brightness, his health is stiir excellent, and his movements still 
graceful and energetic. One of the chief excellencies of Black 
Hawk, and one which he possesses in a remarkable degree, is the 
uniformity with which he stamps upon his offspring his own distin- 
guishing characteristics. For notice of his performances, see Chap- 
ter X. Few colts were sired by him previous to 1844, when he 
became the property of David Hill, and since that time he has been 
constantly kept at that gentleman's stable, in Bridport, Yt. 

BAY MORGAN -^ 

Was foaled in 1849, in East Berkshire, Yt. Sired by Nimrod. 
Dam, sired by Dubois Horse. His color is dark bay, without 
marks. He is owned by Joseph Smith, of East Berkshire. 

BAILEY HORSE 

Was foaled in 1835, the property of Abner Bailey, of Newbury, 
Yt. Sired ]>y Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, thickset 
12 



266 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Dutch mare. The Bailey horse was a chestnut, ]5 hands high, 
weighed 1,100 lbs, and had one white hind foot. 

BARKER HORSE 
Was foaled in 1833, the property of Mr. Cobb, of Nelson, N. H. 
Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, sired by 
Diomede, he by Imported Diomede. The Barker Horse was 15^ 
hands high, and weighed 1.100 lbs , color chestnut, with white stripe 
in the face like his sire, whom he closely resembled. His style and 
action Avere unsurpassed, and he was a very fine roadster. He v/as 
kept most of the time in Merrimac County, N. H., and vicinity. 
Mr. Barker kept him near home until 1853, after which Jesse John- 
son and Brothers kept him at Bradford, Yt., and Concord, N. H., 
and vicinity, until lie died, July, 1855, still the property of Mr. 
Barker. 

BARTHOLOMEW HORSE 

Was foaled in 1826, the property of Moses Bartholomew, of Vershire, 
Yt., who raised and kept him till he died. Weight, 1,050 lbs., 15 
hands high, color dapple bay. He had abundance of both speed 
and action, and was a fast trotter. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, 
Justin Morgan. 

BONAPARTE 

Was foaled in 1836, the property of Johnson and Brothers, of Brad- 
ford, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by 
Napoleon Bonaparte. Yf as 14^ hands high, and weighed 950 lbs., 
very compact, close built, a fast driver and strong goer. He re- 
sembled his sire very much. F. A. Weir, of Walpole, N, H., pur- 
chased him in 1845, and took him to that place. 

BLACK HAWK CHIEF 
Was foaled in 1849, the property of D. Edgar Hill, of Bridport, Yt., 
by whom he is still owned. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sher- 
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Young Ilamiltonian, 
formerly owned by Allen Smith, of Addison, Yt., Young Hamil- 
tonian by Bishop's Ilamiltonian, and he by Imported Messenger. 
Dam of Young Hamiltonian by Leonidas, g dam by Bellfounder. 



p 



PEDIGEEES. 267 

Grand dam of Black Hawk Chief, sired by Imported Matchera, 
owned by J. S. Larrabee, of Shoreham, Vt.; height 15^- hands, 
weight 1,034, color raven black. This horse received the first 
premium at the New York State Fair in 1853, and also the first 
at the Addison County, Vt., Fair, in 1855. He is full brother to 
Sherman Black Hawk. He is spirited, but exceedingly gentle and 
tractable. Whole figure good. Head and neck beautiful. Style 
and action fine. Time, 2.48. 

BLACK HAAVK ECLIPSE 

Was foaled in 1853, the property of Jesse Johnson and Brothers, 
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Caesar, g g 
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a Black Hawk. 
He is 14 hands high, weighs 975 lbs. ; color black, with a white stripe 
in the face. Sold and gone to South Carolina. An excellent 
moving horse, very clean, light head, general style and action good. 

BLACK HAWK MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1852, the ^property of J. Johnson and Brothers, of 
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Csesar, 
g g sire, Woodbury, g g*g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Black 
Hawk. He is 15 hands high, weighs 950 lbs. ; color, chestnut. 

BURBANK HORSE 

SEE BARKER HORSE. 

BLISS HORSE. 

Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by Justin 
Morgan, and known as the Charles Cutter mare, of Royalton, Yt. 

BUCHANAN HORSE 

Was foaled in 1836, the property of Jeremiah Boyington, of New- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired 
by Bulrush. Buchanan was bay color, weighed 1,000 lbs. When 
eight years old he was sold and taken to New Brunswick. 



268 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

BOSTON TIGER 

Was foaled in 1825 or '26, the property of H. H. Kimball, of 
Whitefield, N. H. Sired by Cock of the Rock, g sire, Sher- 
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a gray, owned by H. H. 
Kiml^all. Tiger was 15 hands high, weighed 1,050 lbs. ; roan color, 
fine form and good action. 

When five years old he was purchased by Joseph Sumner, Esq., 
of Charlestown, N. H. Mr. Sumner kept him several years, but 
becoming cross, he disposed of him, and he was put into a team in 
Boston or Medford, where, in 1845, he was found and purchased by 
David Batchelder, of Haverhill, N. H., who kept him three years 
and sold him to Gen. Dolif, of East Wentworth, N. H., whose 
property he continued till his death in 1848. 

BIRD HORSE 

Was foaled in 1851. Sired by the Bird horse, formerly owned 
by Joel Huntington and William Gay, and kept in Rochester and 
Hancock, Yt., g sire, Wolcott Morgan, g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, 
Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Gifford. Height; 
14^ hands, weight, 985 lbs. ; color, dapple bay, black mane, tail and 
legs, with very fine action. Now owned by A. Seymour, of West 
Randolph, Yt. 

BUSSORAH 

Was foaled in 1849, the property of Keyes Coburn, of Springport, 
Cayuga Co., N. Y. Sired by Gen. Gifibrd, g sire Gifford, g g sire, 
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Howland, by 
imported Arabian Bussorah, g dam, by imported Messenger. 15| 
hands high; weight, 1,075 lbs. ; color, bright bay. Now owned by 
B. J. Bidwell, of Tecumseh, Mich., and is a good horse. 

BACHELDER HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Josepti Bachelder, of Danville, Yt., 
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a fast trotting 
gray mare, half French. This horse was of dapple gray color, and 
14j hands high. Though not as stylish as some of Sherman's colts, 
he was a spirited and fast traveller. Left some excellent stock. 



J 



PEDIGREES. 269 

BLANCHAED HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Joseph Tilton, of Danville, Yermont, 
His dam was a light bay, sired by Justin Morgan. Blanchard was 
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Yv^as of chestnut color, 
and weighed 1,000 lbs. He was a close-made, thick-set horse, but 
his stock were not as noted for action as most of Sherman's colts. 
When young he was taken to New Hampshire, and afterwards to 
Maine. At an advanced age he was brought back to St. Johnsbury, 
Yt., where he died. 

BROCK HORSB 

Was foaled in 1836, the property of Capt. William Brock, of New- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Parks horse, g sire. Green Mountain 1st, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Shark. He was 
sold by Mr. Brock to Peter Johns, of Nashua, N. H. He 
weighed 900, was blood bay color, had a fine figure and excellent 
action, and was an uncommonly showy horse. Not fast. 

BLA.CK HAYfK NAPOLEON 
Was foaled the 13th of May, 1852, the property of A. C. Palmer, 
of Charlotte, Yermont. Sired by Black Hawk Prophet, g sire, 
Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, 
of Messenger stock. This horse is 16 hands high, weighs about 
1,100 lbs., and is of jet black color. 

He received the highest premium in his class at the Yermont 
State Fair, 1855. A well-shaped, good-moving horse, Still owned 
by Mr. Palmer. 

BAXTER HORSE 

Was foaled in June, 1852, the property of Portus Baxter, of 
Derby, Yt. Sired by colt of Black Hawk, g sire, Black Hawk, 
g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Royal 
Morgan. -He is lo^ hands high, weighs 1,050 lbs., with a very dark 
brown color, and white stripe in the face. Has a beautiful ear 
fine shoulders and withers, with good hips and back. His limbs are 
excellent. Promises to be fast. Now owned by Portus Baxter, 
of Strafford, Yt. 



270 IE MORGAN" HORSE. 

BLACK HAWK PRINCE 
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Mr. McKiimey, of Bridport, 
Vt Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam by Young Sir Walter, sire of Moscow, and he by Sir 
Walter. Prince is jet black, with small, white star in the face, 16 
hands high, and weighs 1,150 lbs. 

McKinney sold him to Messrs. Gale & Wright, in April, 1854^ 
Col. Abram Foot, of Cornwall, Vt., afterwards purchased and now 
owns him. He is a very fine horse, with abundance of spirit, excel- 
lent action, and a hardy constitution. 

BROWN MORGAN 

Was foaled June 17, 1850. Sired by Morgan Sultan, g sire, Giflford, 
g g sire, Woodbury, ggg sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sher- 
man King, g dam by Justin Morgan. 

BLACK MORGAN 

Was foaled 28th July, 1845, the property of Sylvanus H. Gates, of 
Petersham, Mass. Sired by Gates Horse, g sire. Green Mountain 2d, 
g g sire, Gifford, ggg sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan, 
Dam raised in Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d. 
When three years old, Black Morgan was purchased by Francis 
Twichell, of Petersham, Mass., who kept him till he died, May, 
1854. He received the fourth premium at the National Fair la 
Springfield, 1853. 

BAY STATE MORGAN 1st 

Was foaled May 9, 1849, the property of Joshua Saunderson, of 
Pittsfield, Mass. Sired by Young Green Mountain, g sire, Green 
Mountain 2d, g g sire, Gifibrd, ggg sire, "Woodbury, g g g g sire, 
Justin Morgan, Color, bright bay, 15 hands high ; weight, 1,060 
lbs., and is a good horse. Now owned by Mr. Saunderson at Pitts- 
field. 

BAY STATE MORGAN 2d 
Was foaled the property of S. B. Aiken, Ilardwicke, Mass. 
Sired by Young Green Mountain, g sire. Green Mountain 2d, g g 
sire, Gifford, ggg sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. 



PEDIGREES. 271 

Dark bay, 16| hands high, and weighs 1,150 lbs. He is now owned 
by Forrester B. Aiken, of Ilardwicke, Mass. Good withers, good 
neck, good jBgure, and a good horse. 

BLACK LION 
Was foaled the property of Chester Pratt, Cornwall, Yt. Sired by 
Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, 
sired by Liberty. 

BILLY ROOT, OR COMET, 

Was foaled in 1829, the property of Hezekiah Morton, of St. Johns- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a 
half French mare, sired by Justin Morgan. A fine driver, and 
weighed 1,000 lbs. 

Billy Root weighed 942 lbs ; color, dark chestnut, with a few 
white hairs in the forehead, and a little white on the off hind 
foot. The hair on his body was rather long, but soft and silky, 
had but few long hairs on his legs and excellent feet. Eldad Root 
purchased him in 1832 or '33. Mr. Root kept him in the State of 
New York, we believe at Genesee Flats ; and he also kept him at 
Lyndon, Yt., several years. When about ten years old he took him to 
Uighgate, Yt., wliere he remained four years. Mr. Root sold him 
to Mr. Stevens, of St. Jolmsbury, Yt. Mr. Stevens used him hard 
one year, and sold him to Mr. Filer, of Burke, Yt., who kept him a 
short time, and traded him to Eleazer Smith, of Haverhill, N, H. 
Mr. Smith after a fev/ months, traded him in the spring, back to 
Mr. Filer, who took him to Springfield, Mass., in the summer or 
fall of 1845, and disposed of him to a person who took him to 
Warehouse Point. The same autumn he was again traded to a 
man in Sharon, Conn. In the spring of 1847, (April 18th,) Messrs. 
Bemis & Hoyt brought him back to Lyndon, v/hero he was kept in 
1847-'48-'49, at f^oyt's stable. In 1850, he was kept at Highgate, 
and in 1851, at Lyndon, Yt. He died very suddenly April 25th, 
1852. His death was supposed to be caused by the rupture of a 
blood-vessel. He was a horse of extraordinary life, energy and 
action. His slock are small, but have become widely and justly 
celebrated for spirit, action, endurance, and docility. 



272 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

BENTON HORSE. 

SEE COOS MORGAN. 

BARDWELI. HORSE. 

SEE DEERFIELD MORGAN. 

BLACK JACK 

Was foaled June 5, 1849, the property of Charles Linsley, of 
Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Hacket Horse, g sire, GifFord, g g sire 
"Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Bay Flirt, bred near 
T^ncaster, Ohio, and sired by Medley, he by Little Medley, and he 
by imported Medley, g dam, by bhepard's Consul, and he by Bond's 
First Consul for further pedigree of Medley and Bond's First Consul 
see American Scud Book. Black Jack is 15 hands high and 
weighs 1,070 lbs. ; color, black chestnut, without marks ; is a com- 
pact, enduring horse, a good traveller, and is perfectly sound. He is 
now owned by G. L. Linsley, of Kankakee City, Illinois. 

BLACK HAWK, Jr., 1st, 

Was foaled in 1847, the property of Abraham F. Aburuethy, of 
Cornwall, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, Howard mare, sired by a colt of Hamilton- 
ian. He is 15 hands high, and weighs 1,000 lbs. Mr. Aburnethy 
kept him till three years old, and sold him to Col. Abraham Foot, 
of Cornwall, Yt., who kept him till August 1852, when he sold him 
to Farnham & Foot, of Lockport, N. Y., for $1,500. He is still 
owned in Lockport by Col. E. H. Foot. With a very fine figure 
he possesses an excellent temper, is a pleasant driver and goes in 
good style. 

BLACK HAWK, Jr., 2d, 

Was foaled June 20, 1849, the property of James S. Phelps, of 
Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by a son of Gififords, g dam, by Young 
Hamiltonian. He is jet black color, 16 hands high, and weighs 1050 
lbs. His limbs are light but sinewy, free from long hairs, and any 
sort of blemish. He has a bold, resolute style of action, and is now 
the property of Mr. Phelps, at Burlington, Iowa. 



PEDIGREES. 273 

CLAKKE HOKSE 

Was foaled in 1840 or '41, the property of Hall Cabot, of Chelsea, 
Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by For- 
tune, Fortune by Quicksilver, g dam by Justin Morgan. Height, 
13| hands ; weight, 875 lbs. ; color, bright bay. One of the best 
acting sons of Bulrush. A fine, spirited animal. Went to Ohio. 

COCK OF THE ROCK 
^Yas foaled the property of Oliver Bowers of DanviUe, Vt. 
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Barnum's Cock 
of the Rock. He was a very light chestnut, with white face 
below the eyes, 15 hands high, and weighed 1,100 lbs. His eye, 
ear and head not so good, but general form, Morgan. He attracted 
some notice in New Hampshire and New York, in which States he 
was kept. Mr. Bellows, of Lancaster, N. H., purchased him ot 
Mr. Bowers, and sold him to Horatio Sargeant, of Springfield, Mass., 
at a high price. Was a bold, proud-looking and active horse, and 
a fine animal. Was a fast trotter, and left some good stock. 

COLBY HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Mr. Colby, of Warner, N. H. Sired by 
Barker horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan ; is 15 
hands high, weighs 1,050, chestnut color, and a capital horse, with 
JBne action and good figure. 

CHARLES SMITH HORSE 
Was foaled the property of C. C. Smith, of Corinth, Yt., and now 
owned by Leonard Avery, of same place. Sired by Young Bul- 
rush, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Small size, 
weight 900, dark chestnut color, and good action. 

CRANE HORSE, OR STEELE HORSE. 
Sei3 Royal Morgan. 

CHILDS HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Col. Levi Childs, of Derby, Yt. Sired 

by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, 

a chestnut, 15 hands high, weighed 1,000, and sired by American 

12'^ 



274 'jii;^ :MoiiGAN iioese. 

Eagle. Cliilds horse is a dark bay, 14| hands high, weighs abou* 
975. Style and action very good. Now owned in Northampton, 
Mass. 

CHAMBERLAIN HORSE 

Was foaled in 1843, the property of Lathrop Chamberlain, of 
Brownington, Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a bay, 15 hands high, weighed 950 lbs., 
and was sired by Olive Branch. 

Chamberlain horse was a bay 14| hands high, and weighed about 
900 lbs. His movement was excellent, and he was full of life and 
spirit. He is now dead. 

CARPENTER'S GRAY 
"Was foaled the property of Francis Drew, of Danville, Yt. 
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, large gray, sired 
by Black Prince. He was 14^ hands high, weighed 1,050 lbs., and 
had plenty of bone, muscle, spirit, and action. He took his name 
from Danford Carpenter, of Dtinvilie, who owned him some time, 
and sold him to go to Massachusetts. 

CLIFTON 

Was foaled in 1852, the property of Wm. Bellows, Esq., of V\''alpole, 
N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Giflbrd, g g sire, Wood- 
bury, g g g.sire, Justin ]\Iorgan. Dam, a chestnut, sired by Gifford, 
g dam by Sherman. Clifton is 14i hands high, and weighs 960 
pounds. His color is a bright chestnut. At three months old Mr. 
Bellows sold him to Silas Hale, of South Royals ton, Mass. At 
eighteen months old, Mr. Hale sold iiim to S. H. Edgerly, Esq., of 
Manchester, N. H., who shortly after sold him to F. H. Lyford, 
Esq., whose property he still remains. Clifton is a bold-looking, 
active and muscular horse, and in many respects resembles his 
celebrated sire. 

CLEMENTS HORSE 
Was foaled in 1826, the property of Mr. Clements, of Goshen, 
Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was cele- 
brated as a roadster, and descended from Imported Killdeer, 



PEDIGREES. 275 

Clements kept him till 1831, and then sold him to go to St. Law- 
rence County, New York. He was kept several years in Malone 
and vicinity, and was finally taken to Canada. His style and 
action were very fine. 

CHAMPLAIN 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Robins Battell, of Norfolk,Conn. 
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Full brother to Yermouter. Charaplain is now owned by Battell & 
Phelps, in Fou Du Lac County, Wisconsin, and is a very fine horse. 

CHAMPION BLACK HAWK 
Was foaled in 1849, the property of C. W. Fletcher, of Orwell, 
A^t. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, by Cock of the Rock, g dam said to be out of a Bui, 
rush Ivl organ mare, by a Messenger Horse. Champion Black Hawk 
is a dark red chestnut, 15^ hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs., 
is compact and muscular, with beautiful ear and head. He has 
taken the first prize at five State, and several County fairs. 
Spirit, style and action excellent. In the fall of 1855 he trotted 
two miles in 5 min. 45 sec. He is now owned by P. & L. Melendy, 
Mount Healthy, Hamilton Co., Ohio. He was purchased by his 
present owners in August, 1855, of W. H. & J. Ladd, Jefiersou 
County, Ohio. 

COOS MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1848, the property of Charles Benton, of New- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Young Moscow. Dam was sired by Morgan 
Bobbin, g dam by Billy Root, g g dam by Justin Morgan. He i3 
a black chestnut, 152- hands high, and weighs 1,045 lbs. He is 
very gentle, and perfectly kind in any service. Exceedingly well- 
built, forward, and bold in style, though less nervous than some of 
Lis kin. He is a favorite stock horse in the vicinity of Newbury. 
He has been exhibited for a premium but once, when he received 
one, at the Yermont State Fair, in 1853. 

CHARLEY 
Was foaled May 23, 1851, the property of Calvin Blodget, of 
Waterl)ury, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Jus- 



276 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

tin Morgan. Bam by Green Mountain 2d, g dam by Messenger. 
Charley is a dark, dapple bay, 14i hands high, and weighs a little 
less than 1,000 lbs. He has no white hairs on him; mane and tail 
full and heavy, very compact, with good limbs and good action. 
He is an excellent road:5ter. 

CARLBTON HORSE. 

See Peters Morgan. 

COMET. 

She Billy Root. 

COMET 

Was foaled in 1846, the property of Jonas Flint, of St. Johns, 
bury, Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, dark chestnut, known as Crane mare. Sired by 
Royal Morgan, g dam by Hubbard horse, g g dam, known as the 
Pierce mare. Comet is a chestnut, and weighs 1,050 lbs. He has 
taken several premiums. One at the National Fair at Boston, 
1855, and one at the New Hampshire State Fair ; also one in his 
own county, lie is now the property of Mr. Woods, of Hancock 
N. H., and is an excellent horse, with plenty of life, and a spirited, 
nervous style of action. 

CHALLENGE 

Was foalc-d June Sd, 1854, the property of Charles Linsley, Esq., 
of Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by White Mountain Morgan, g 
dam by Woodbury ; weight, 882 lbs. ; 151 hands high, black chestnut 
color, with stripe in the face, and three white feet. He is now 
owned by George L. Linsley, Kankakee, 111. 

CLARKE HORSE. 
See Y/'halebgne. 

DON JUAN 

Was foaled in 1852, the property of C. M. Fletcher, of Orwell, \t. 
Sired by Champion Black Hawk, g sire, Blaclv Hawk, g g sire, 
Sbermau, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Henry, sired by 



PEDIGREES. 277 

Barney Henry, g dam was of Messenger blood ; 16 hands high, and 
weighs 1,210 lbs, ; color, very dark dapple bay, heavy, wavy 
black mane and tail. When two years old he was entered for a 
purse, at Burlington, Vt., which he won, trotting mile heats in 
3 min. 10 sec. When three years old he trotted a half mile in 
1 min. 22 sec. A fine horse, and still owned by Mr. Fletcher. 

DAYIS HORSE 

Was a Vermont horse, sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan ; height, 14J hands ; weight, 925 lbs. ; color, chestnut. Few 
white hairs in face, and one white hind-foot. Action and style good. 

DUBOIS HORSE 

Was foaled in 1818. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan, color 
bay ; moved in good style, and was fast : weight, 940 pounds. He 
was owned at one time in Burlington, Vt. 

DAVIS HORSE 
Was foaled in 1852. AVas sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. 
He was 15^ hands high, and weighed 1,200 ; color, mahogany bay ; 
action and speed not remarkable, but enduring and hardy 

DEERFIELD MORGAN 
Was bred in Shelburne, Mass., and was sired by Green Mountam 
2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire Justin Morgan. 
He is a good acting, sharp-going horse. 

EMPEROR 

Was foaled in 1837, the property of Ruius H. Hyde, of Chelsea, Vt., 
who kept him three or four years and sold him. Sired by Bulrush, 
g sire, Justin Morgan ; weight, 1,000 lbs. ; bright bay ; good figure, 
but not remarkably good gait. 

ETHAN ALLEN. 
Was foaled in June, 1849, the property of J. W, Holcomb, of Ticon- 
deroga, N, Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, a medium size white mare of Messenger 



273 'HIE MORGAN HOKSE, 

blood ; 15 hands higb, and weighs about 1,000 lbs. ; is a beautiful 
bay, with black mane and tail ; is perfectly sound and kind, very 
tractable, and has an excellent temper and gait, either for the road 
or the turf. It is claimed by his friends that he is the fastest trot- 
ting stallion living, and the claim seems to be well founded. For 
further notice of his performances, sec Chapter X. He is now 
owned by 0. S. Roe & Co., of Shoreham, Yt. 

It has been reported that Ethan Allen was sired by Flying Mor- 
gan, an excellent horse, and one which he, in some respects, resem- 
bles. We have made careful inquiry into all the circumstances of 
the case, and we can see no reasonable ground to doubt his having 
been sired by Black Hawk. Mr. Holcomb had bred two celebrated 
animals. Black Hawk Maid and Red Legs, from the dam of Ethan 
Allen by Biack Hawk, and there can be no question that the mare 
was coupled with Black Hawk in 1848. Flying Morgan was not 
kept for stock that year, but for a driving horse, and we believe 
was kept by chance one night at Ticonderoga. We believe that 
this, with the resemblance in color and shape of the head, furnish 
the chief grounds for the report. 

ETHAN ALLEN 2d 

Was foaled in 1850, the property of E. & T. Sprague, of East Ran- 
dolph, Yt. Sired by Putnam horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, a chestnut mare known as the Partridge 
mare. Sired by Woodbury. He is 15 hands high, and weighs 
1,000 lbs. Color, chestnut, with white stripe in his face. Great 
muscular power, with good style and action. Now owned by B. F. ■ 
Parkhurst, of Randolph. His colts principally chestnut. 

ENFIELD HORSE 
Was foaled in 1824, in Enfield, Conn. Sired by Woodbury, g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was raised in Connecticut, and was of 
the celebrated Janus stock. 

Enfield remained in Connecticut until the winter of 1831, when his 
owner drove him to Addison County, Yt., with a load of fresh cod- 
fish. While on the road, he met with an accident that made him 
lame for some time, and he was sold to Joshua Scott, of IMiddle- 



PEDIGEEE3. 279 

bury. Mr. Scott kept him one year, and sold him to Austin John- 
son. Mr. Johnson kept him two or tliree years, and sold him to go 
to the State of Maine. Since that time we have been unable to 
trace him. 

He was a chestnut, 14f hands high, and weighed 915 lbs. He 
wa3 an excellent horse ; a fast driver, and full of courage and life. 

ESTY HORSE 
Was sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam sired by Romeo, owned by E. Pike. Height, 15^- hands ; 
weight, 1,000 lbs. ; color, black roau. Good style and fast ; but 
never was trained. Was burned in a stable when five years old. 
He was sire of the noted trotting mare, Lady Franklin. 

FENTON HORSE 

Was foaled in 1808, the property of Richard W. Fenton, of St. 
Johusbury, Yt. Sired by Justin Morgan. 

He was of a blood bay color ; excellent in style and action, and 
a very fine horse. See Chap. YII. 

FLYING CLOUD 1st 
Was foaled the property of Mr. Robinson, of New Bedford, Mass. 
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam by Andrew Jackson, of trotting celebrity ; was a black mare, 
and weighed about 1,000 lbs. 

Flying Cloud weighs about 1,000 lbs., and his color is black. He 
is now on Long Island. 

FLYING CLOUD 2d. 

This Flying Cloud is now in Ohio ; was foaled the property of 
GustaATis Wickes, of Ticonderoga, N.Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g 
sire Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Magnum 
Bonum. 

This horse is black, and weighs 1, 050 pounds. 

FLYING MORGAN. 

Was foaled in 1843, the property of R. M. Adams, of Burlington, Vt. 

Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gififord, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g 

Eire, J'j3i' in Morgan. Dam sired by Woodbury. Flying Morgan is 14 



280 THE MORGAN IIORSK. 

hands high, and weighs 900 lbs ; color, blood bay, with white hind 
feet. When five years old he was sold to Dr. Wm. Kussell, of Mid- 
dlebury, Yt., but Mr. Adams repurchased him the following year, 
and has owned him ever since. He is a horse of a great deal ot 
bottom and power ; trots perfectly square and fair ; goes smart ; is 
perfectly sure for all he can do, and generally makes his best time 
the last heat. From heating and over-work, his eyes have been in- 
jured, and he can see but little. For performances, see Chap. 10. 

FLYING MORGAN SPROUT 
Was foaled in 1852, the property of R. M. Adams, of Burlington, Yt. 
Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett horse, g g sire, GijSbrd, ggg 
sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan, out of Messenger dam, 
of middling size. He is 15 hands high, and of a dark chestnut color. 
Took the second premium at the National Fair at Springfield, 
Mass., when he had nine competitors. Has an excellent temper, a 
free, open gait, and promises to be fast. Under Mr. Adams' care he 
has become one of the best trained and most thoroughly broken 
horses in the State, and we do not know of a horse equal to him in 
these respects. He is still owned by Mr. Adams, at Burlington, Yt. 

FOX 

Was foaled in 1813, the property of Col. Phinney, of Shrewsbury, 
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam unknown ; 14 
hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. ; color, dapple bay ; a very few white 
hairs on his forehead, and very few long hairs on his legs ; mane and 
tail thick and bushy. In 1825 he was purchased by Mr. Oliver 
Brown, of Pittsford, Yt. Mr. Brown kept him about one year, and 
sold him to Harvey Yale, of Middlebury, Yt., for ,^210. Mr. Yale, 
kept him five years ; during this time he was kept at Huntington 
and Middlebury. In 1831, Mr. Yale sold him to Dr. Smith, of 
Huntington, for $150. Dr. Smith kept him one year. From Hunt- 
ington he went to SL Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; from whence he was 
taken to Upper Canada, where he died. He was a horse of great 
spirit and action, and was a favorite parade horse. 

FARRAR HORSE 

SEE YOUXG BURBANK. 



PEDIGREES. 281 

FLINT HOESE 
"Was foaled in 1823, the property of Oliver Bowers, of Danville, 
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. He was owned by 
Mr. Bowers, Mr. Flint, Mr. AVoods, and Mr. Bellows. He died in 
St. Johnsbury. He is said to have been a fine horse, but we have 
been able to learn no further particulars concerning him. 

FLYING MOEGAN, OF PETERSHAM. 

SEE NOETH STAR. 

FALCON 

Was foaled May 31st, 1846, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Nor- 
folk, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam by the Yale horse ; Yale horse by Barnum's Cock 
of the Eock ; g dam by Gifford. Falcon died at three years old. 

FALCON 2d 
Was foaled in 1849, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Norfolk, 
Conn. Sired by Falcon, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, 
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a high-blooded Yirginia mare 

fa:6mees' beauty 

Was foaled in 1842, the property of Dr. Thatcher, of Wells 
Eiver, Yt. Sired by GifPord, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, a bay, said to sired by Woodbury. Farmers' 
Beauty is about 15 hands high ; weighs 1,075 lbs., and is of dappled 
Ciiestnut color. Stock excellent and uniform. He is a good 
traveller ; has trotted in 2.53. He is now owned by D. M. Tag- 
gart, GofFstown, N. H. 

FOX MORGAN 
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Miller & Fox, of New 
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Eoot, g g sire, Sher- 
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. The Fox Morgan is coal black, 
with a few gray hairs about his flanks ; 14^ hands high, and weighs 
950 lbs. Action spirited and stylish. 



282 THE MORGAN HOESE. 

GOODALE HORSE 

Was foaled in 1836, the property of Luther Goodale, of Lyme, 
N.H. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Height, 15^ 
hands ; weight, 1,100 lbs. Heavy bone and muscle ; courage and bot- 
tom excellent ; action not the finest, but a good driver. He left some 
excellent stock. Mr. Goodale sold him in 1845 or '46 to B. F. 
Tillitson, of Orford, N. H., who sold him in 1849 or '50, to a man in 
Danvers, Mass. Disposition not pleasant. 

GATES HORSE. 
(see morgan empire.) 

GREEN MOUNTAIN 1st 

Was foaled the property of Mr. Bachupp, of Rygate, Yt. Sired by 
Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. He was ISi hands high ; weighed 
1,125 lbs., and was of a dusty brown color. He was taken to Green- 
field, Mass., and sold for $1,000. 

GREEN MOUNTAIN 2d 

Was foaled in 1834, the property of George Bundy. Sired by Gif- 
ford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by 
Woodbury, a dark bay mare of great beauty and action. This 
horse is i4^ hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. ; color, deep bay. 
Mr. Bundy sold him, when four months old, to Daniel Gay, of Stock- 
bridge, Vt., who kept him till he was four years old, and sold him 
to Hiram Twitchell, of Bethel, Yt., and he sold him the same year 
to John Woodbury, of Bethel, Yt. Mr. Woodbury sold him to 
Silas Hale, of South Royalston, Mass., who kept him till 1855 
ffheu he sold him to a stock company in Williamstown, Yt., where 
ie is now owned. Mr. Hale took him West in 1853, and he re- 
ceived first premiums at the several State Fairs of Kentucky, Ohio, 
mid Michigan, and in 1854 he received the first premium at the Ycr 
mont State Fair, at Brattleboro'. He has also taken several othei 
premiums. He is a horse of great muscular development, and 
remarkably nervous, spirited action. 



PEDIGKEES. 283 

GOODALE HOESE 

Was foaled the property of John Dennick, of Lynn, N. H. Sired 
by Young Burbank, g sire, "Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
He is of a bay color, and weighs 1,025 lbs. Left one stallion, the 
Bold Eusher, a fine horse, now dead. 

GEEEN MOUNTAIN, Jr., 

Was foaled in July, 1851. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gif- 
ford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam known 
as the Harton Trotting Mare. In 1851 owned by George W. Brad- 
street, of Eoyalton, Vt., and purchased of him by Eeuben H. 
Lamb, of Boston. Sired by Gifford. 

Green Mountain, Jr., is 15 hands high, and weighs 1,035 lbs. His 
color is dark chestnut, or brown. He has the style and action of 
his sire and dam, and trots a mile in 3 minutes. Now owned by 
A. Lyman, of West Eandolph, Yt. He is a very fast walker, and 
a very pleasant and stylish driver. 

GEN. GIFFOED 1st 
Was foaled in 1839, the property of Edward Eldridge, of War- 
ren, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. 

Gen. Gifford is a chestnut, 15^ hands high, weighs 1,040 lbs. He 
Is a long-bodied, but compact horse, with good style and action ; 
a pleasant temper, and abundance of life. Mr. Eldridge sold him to 
Calvin Blodget, of Waterbury, Yt. Mr. Blodget kept him about 
two years and sold him to George A. Mason, of Jordan, N. Y. 

GEN. GIFFOED 2i) 

Was foaled in 1849, in Walpole, N. H. Sired by Gilford, g sire, 
Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam weighed 1,000 lbs. ; was 
foaled in 1831, in Woodstock, Yt. ; sired by Woodbury. Gen. 2d 
is a bay, and weighs 1,000 lbs. A well-formed horse, of good 
action. 

GENEEAL COOK HOESE. 

(see shermak morgan.) 



284 THE MORGAN HOKSE. 

GENERAL TAYLOR 

Was foaled in Chelsea, in 1849, the property of Joseph Hatch. 
Sired by Black Prince. Dam, sired by Bulrush, g dam by Quicksil- 
yer, 15 hands high, blood-bay color, and weighs 1,000 lbs. Not re- 
markably bold and active, but symmetrical, hardy, and enduring, 
and an excellent horse. Received the first premium at the Orange 
County, Yt., Fair, in 1851, and also the first in the class of Bul- 
rush Morgans, at the State Fair in 1854. Now owned by Elihu 
Norton, Chelsea, Yt. 

GLINES HORSE 
Was foaled in 1846, the property of James Glines, Haverhill, N. H. 
Sired by One Eye, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, 
an English mare. His color is chestnut, and weighs about 1,100 
lbs. He has gone West. 

GROSYNER COLT. 

(see PLATO.) 

GIFFORD 

Was foaled June 23, 1824, the property of Ziba Gifford, of Tun- 
bridge, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam 
foaled June 21st, 1819, and sired by Henry Dundas, g dam by True 
Briton, g g dam by I)e Laucey's Imported Wild Air. Weighed 
1,000 lbs., and was 14^ hands high. Style and motion much ad- 
mired, and was a favorite parade horse. Has left some excellent 
stock. March 17th, 1840, Mr. Gifibrd sold him to Russel Topliff, 
of Barnard, Yt. In 1844, Mr. Topliff sold him to Lyman Stewart. 
Mr. Stewart sold him to go to the State of New York. In 1846 
Mr. F. A. Weir, of Walpole, N. H., purchased him, and sold him 
to a stock company for $2,000. He died Oct. 30th, 1850, at Wal- 
pole, N. H. 

GENERAL GIFFORD 3d 

Was foaled 20th Sept., 1851, the property of Mr. Woodard, of 
South Royalton, Yt. Sired by Gifibrd, g sire, Woodbury, g g sirC; 



PEDIGEEES. 285 

Justin Morgan. Dam sired by General Gifford. He is 14 hands high, 
and weighs 945 lbs. Color chestnut, white face, and three white 
feet. Speed good for a colt that has not been trained. 

GIFFORD MORGAN, Jk., 

Was foaled May 23d, 1850, the property of Elijah Judson, of 
Woodbury, Con. Sired by Gifford, g sire, "Woodbury, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, Ribbon Back, by Young Black Hawk ; 
g dam was taken from Vermont to Con., in 1825, and was said to 
have been sired by the Justin Morgan. Gifford Morgan, Jr., is a jet 
black color, a little under 15 hands high, and y/eighs about 1,100 
lbs. Is a free, pleasant traveller, and moves in good, bold style. Is 
very pleasant in his temper, perfectly tractable, and is a fine horse. 
He is now owned by Mr. H. B. Munson, and is kept at Keokuk, 
Lee County, Iowa. 

GREEN MOUNT^y:N 3d 

Was foaled September 3d, 1853, the property of H. B. Munson, 
of Seymour, Con. Sired by a son of Green Mountain 2d., g sire, 
Green Mountain 2d, g g sire, Gifford, gg g sire, Woodbury, gg g g 
fiire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Moscow, g dam, by Woodbury. 
His color is dark chestnut, with silver colored mane and tail. Is 
15 hands high, and is a promising colt. 

GRANITE STATE MORGAN 

Was foaled June 21st, 1847, the property of Parker W. Home, 
of Farmington, N. H. Sired by Napoleon Morgan, g sire, Flint 
horse, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam of 
Messenger descent. Granite State Morgan is a chestnut roan, with 
one white hind foot and a white stripe in the face, 151 hands high, 
and weighs about 1,000 lbs. Is a good traveller, perfectly sound 
and kind, a pleasant, tractable temper, and can be driven by a child. 
He is now owned by C. C. Whitehouse, of Farmington, N. H. 

GENERAL GIFFORD, Jk., 

Wap foaled in 1851, the property of Charles W.Ingersoll, of Lodi, 
Beneca Co., N. Y , who at that time owned the General Gifford Ist. 
Sired by General Gifford 1st., g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, 



2S6 THE MOEGAN HORSE. 

g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, the celebrated Medick's trotting 
raare. Her dam by Bucyrus, and he by American Eclipse. This 
Junior General is 16 hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. He re- 
ceived the first premium at New York State Fair, at Utica, Sept., 
1852, first premium and medal at Michigan State Fair, holden at 
Detroit, 1854 ; also, the first premium at Seneca County Fair, Oct. 
1854. Action easy and graceful. He is a good horse. Now 
owned by B. J. Bidwell, Tecumseh, Mich. 

GEANITE STATE 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Josiah Cram, of Hancock, 
N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sherman, 
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam was sired by a horse called Tom 
Morgan. Tom Morgan was sired by a horse called Briton. The 
pedigree of the last two named we do not know. Granite State is 
light chestnut, and weighs 1,050 lbs. His style and action are good. 
When three years old, Mr. Cram refused $800 for him, and still 
owns him. 

GOLDEN EAGLE 
Was foaled June 21st, 1851, the property of Jacob Blake, of Sut- 
ton, Vt. Sired by Morgan General, g sire, Billy Boot, g gsire, Sher- 
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. When four years old, he was pur 
chased by Wm. Hill, of Sutton, Yt., and taken to Maine. Dark 
chestnut color. Weight about 1,150 lbs. Moves in good style, has 
good figure, good constitution, and excellent limbs. Mr. Hill has 
lately taken him to Illinois. 

HALL HORSE 

Was foaled in Karthumberland, Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, 

Justin Morgan. Weight, 1,100 lbs. Low, heavy built, and dark 

bay color. He was owned and kept several years by Mr. Hall, of 

Northumberland, Yt. 

m 
HUBBARD HORSE 

Was foaled in Straford, Yt., the property of Mr. Hubbard. 
Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan, 
Chestnut color. W^eight 1,000 lbs. 



PEDIGREES. 287 

HARLOW HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Mr, Harlow, of Hartland, Yt. Sired 
by Walker liorse, g- sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Weight 1,200 lbs. Dapple gray color. Action fine, and a sharp 
goer. 

HEBARD HORSE 

Was foaled in 1827, the property of Arial Hall, of North Royal- 
ton, Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Height 14 5 
hands. Weight, 1,050 lbs. Color bay, black mane and tail. Died 
in Williamstown, Vt., in 1854, the property of Mr. Hall. He was 
a very valuable horse, hardy, enduring, with fine style and action, 
and a good roadster. Left a great deal of excellent stock. 

HACKETT HORSE 

Was foaled in 1832, the property of Col. John Hackett, of Han- 
cock, Yt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam sired by Woodbury. Height, 142 hands. Weight, 1,070 
lbs. Color chestnut, thick set, compact horse, but style not so fine as 
some. Action good, and a horse of great endurance. He was a 
good roadster, and left excellent stock. Died Feb., 1850, the prop- 
erty of Mr. Hackett. 

HAMPDEN 

Was foaled in 1848, the property of Dr. J. Holland, of Westfield, 
Mass. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam Polly, a sharp-going dark chestnut mare, of Messenger 
descent, formerly owned by Messrs. Morgan & Stevens, of Palmer, 
Mass. Hampden is a dapple chestnut, a trifle over 15 hands high 
weighs 1,025 lbs., has a very compact form, excellent constitution, 
pleasant disposition, and is a good driver. He is now owned by 
N. B. Washburn, Springfield, Mass. 

HUCKINS HORSE 
Was foaled in 1844, the property of Henry Wooly, of Derby, 
Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Huckins horse is a bay, 15 hands high, and weighs a 
little over 1,000 lbs. He is full of courage and life. Is now owned 
in Topshani, Yt 



288 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

HUBBARD HORSE 2d 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Dr. Frederick Jones, of New 
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Flint horse, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, a superior animal, noted for fleetness and 
endurance. This horse is now owned by George B. Hubbard, of 
Ashby, Mass., is 14 hands high, weighs 900 lbs., is of a rich, dark- 
brown color, compact and finely-proportioned, of elegant action, 
and possesses the requisite points of a fleet horse. 

IVES HORSE 

Was foaled in 1839, the property of Julius Ives, of Stai^tead, 
C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, a gray about 15 hands high. Ives horse is a bay, 
about 15 hands high, and weighs nearly 1,100 lbs. Style and 
action very good. He is now owned in Oswego, N. Y. 

JEMIB 

Was foaled in 1848, the property of Calvin Blodget, of Water- 
bury, Vt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, Madam Lowe. Sired by Woodbury. Jemie is a 
chestnut, 14| hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. ; has no white hairs 
on him ; is close built ; stands high forward ; has good style and 
action, and is a good driver. He is now owned by John G. Sher- 
burn, and we think is in Richmond, McHenry Co., Illinois. 

JERRY 

Was foaled the 18th of June, 1849, the property of Calvin 
Blodget, of Waterbury, Vt. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, 
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Hebard horse, g dam by Bul- 
rush. Jerry is chestnut, with a little white on one hind foot ; 14^ 
hands high, and weighs 1,000 lbs. ; heavy mane and tail ; form 
close and compact ; good action, and a free, pleasant driver. 

KNIGHT'S HORSE. 

(see VERMONT MORGAN CHAMriON.) 



PEDIGKEES, 289 

KARBY HORSE 
Was bred in Bath, N. H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Wood- 
bury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Chestnut color, and weighs 1,125 
lbs. 

KENT'S MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1844, the property of Adrial Kent, of Lancaster, 
N.H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam by Sherman This horse weighs 1,050 lbs. ; is 15 hands 
high ; a deep bay color ; star in the face and white hind feet ; style 
and action good. Stock has proved excellent. Is now owned by 
A. J. Congdon, of Lancaster, N. H. 

KITE 

Was foaled in June, 1854, the property of S. Langdon, New 
Haven, Yt. Sired by Rising Sun, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan ; dam sired by Beaman horse, 
he by Black Hawk, g dam by Black Hawk. Kite is dark chest- 
nut, 15i hands high, and weighs 880 lbs. He is now owned hy 
Geo. L. Linsley, Kankakee City, Illinois. 

KENT COLT 

Was foaled in June, 1851, the property of G. W. Kent, of New- 
bury, Vt. Sired by Carleton horse, or Petus Morgan, g sire, 
Morgan Chief, g g sire. Bulrush, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam 
by Sherman. Kent Colt is. a blood bay, 14^ hands high, weighs 
975 lbs, with head, eye, and neck very fine ; general figure and limbs 
good. Is still owned by Mr. Kent. 

LATHAM HORSE, or MORGAN CHIEF, 

Was foaled at Wells River, Vt., the property of Peter Burbank, 
in 1832. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam known 
as Empress, sired by Justin Morgan : 151 hands high, weight, 
1,000 lbs., and chestnut color. 

When one year old, Mr. Burbank sold him to B. Latham, Esq.^ 
of Lyme, N. H., for Sl50. In 1841, Mr. Latham sold him to Coi 
R. C. Sawyer, of Newbury, Vt., who kept him till May, 1847, when 
' 13 * 



290 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

he sold him to Calvin Blodget, of Waterbury, Yt. lu Juue, 1848, 
he was sold to Messrs. Wight & Eldridge, of Warren, Yt., who in 
June, 1852, sold him to Messrs. Prescott & Wilson, of Newbury, 
Yt. In the spring of 1854, he was taken to New Jersey. He 
was not remarkable for style and action, but his stock proved 
good. 

LONE STAB 
Was foaled the 5th June, 1848, the property of Benj. B. Tuttle, of 
Newmarket, N. H. Sired hj Estis horse, g sire, Black Hawk, g 
g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a chestnut 14\ 
hands high, sired by Cock of the Eock. Lone Star is a blood bay, 
with small white star in forehead ; 15^ hands high, and weighs 1,065 
lbs., and is half-brother to the well-known trotting mare, Lady 
Franklin. He has never been trained, but he has a gait that indi- 
cates ability to trot. He is a fine horse, and is now owned by Syl- 
vanus Tuttle, of Newmarket, N. H. 

LAWTON HORSE 

Was foaled in June, 1841, the property of Mr. Buckman, of Bethel, 
Yt., and is now owned by Messrs. Woodward & Flint, South 
Royalston, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain, 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g 
sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Morgan 
Eagle. This horse is 15 hands high ; weighs 1,100 lbs., and his 
color is dapple bay. Style and action excellent, possessing both bot- 
tom and speed. 

LEMON FAIR 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Robbins Battell of Norfolk, 
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam by Gen. AVhitney's Arabian. He by Dey of 
Algiers, g dam by Duroc. 

MORGAN LION 
Was foaled May 31st, 1852, the property of J. C. Tibbits, Esq., of 
Sutton, Yt. Sired by Morgan Gen., g sire, Billy Boot, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Height, 15 J hands, grey 



PEDIGREES. 291 

color, and weight 1,150 lbs. ; very compact, close-built, high-head- 
ed, good acting horse. 

MORGAN TROTTER 
"Was foaled in 1819 or '20, the property of Abel Whitney, near 
Chelsea, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a 
large coarse common mare, light bay ; weight, 1,150 lbs. 

Morgan Trotter was 15 hands high, and weighed 1,000 lbs. ; 
color, dark bay ; remarkably strong, cordy limbs ; a very hard 
driver and fast trotter. Charles Johnson bought him about 1823 
or '24, and owned him four or five years, then sold him to go to 
Maine. 

M R G A N K I N G . 

(see SHERMAN KING.) 

MORGAN RAT 

Was foaled in 1822, the property of Judge Baldwin, of Strafford, 
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. When j'^oung he was 
taken to Maine, and kept in the vicinity of Norway, Stanwich and 
Gray. His stock was small, but invariably good roadsters, with fine 
action. He was brownish chestnut color ; 13^? hands high, and 
weighed 850 lbs. ; with a symmetrical figure, he had a long body, 
which gave him his name. He was very gentle and very spirited. 

MAY-FLY 

Was foaled in 1848. Sired by Farmer's Beauty, g sire, Gifford, 
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by 
Wild Hawk of the Prairie, said to be a thorough-bred English 
horse, owned by Josiah Chase, Princeton, Mass. May-Fly weighs 
900 lbs., and is of bay color. He is now owned by Chas. Perley, 
Boxford, Mass. Is a good-tempered, fine-acting horse. 

MOODY HORSE. 

(see ENFIELD HORSE.) 

MORGAN TIGER, 
(see tioeb.) 



292 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

MORGAN C^SAR 
Was foaled in 1828, the property of Simon Smith, of Hartland, 
Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Quick 
Silver, g dam bred by John G. Bond, Keeue, N. H., and by Morton's 
Traveller. (Not the Morton's Traveller of the Stud Book.) 
This horse was 15^- hands high, weight, 1,150 lbs. He was 
free from long hairs, had a fine head, ears and neck ; mane and tail 
not as thick as is common. He Avas a fast driver, could go a mile 
in three minutes, and in March, 1844, was driven from Piermont to 
Wentworth, N. H., a distance of 12 miles, with two men in a 
sleigh, in 44 minutes. In 1833 or '34 he was taken to Maine by 
Spaulding Smith, of Wilton, Maine, and sold by him to Gen. John 
M. Eustis, of that State, for a parade horse. He remained there 
till 1842, and sired some excellent stock, of which was the celebrated 
trotting horse Mac, also the noted trotter, Pizarro, and a mare 
known as the Robert's Mare, very fast, and reputed to trot a mile in 
2,35. The administrators of Gen Eustis' estate sold him to Manly 
Herriman, of Bradford, Yt. He afterwards passed through several 
hands, until in March, 184G, he was purchased by Jesse Johnson 
& Brothers, who kept him till he died, June 1848. His stock sold 
high ; many geldings brought from ^300 to $1,000 each. This 
horse was known in Maine by the name of Morgan Post Boy. 

MATCHLESS 
Was foaled in 1851, the property of William M. Parker, of Con- 
cord, N.H. Sired by Prince Albert, g sire. Green Mountam 2d, g 
g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Blood bay color, with black legs ; 145 hands high, and weighs 900 lbs. 
Fine style and action. He is a fine, symmetrical animal, with small, 
finely-shaped head and ear. Promises to be fast. Dam of Match- 
less was formerly owned by Hiram Woodruff. She was a cele- 
brated roadster, and was half-sister to the great Trustee. She was 
black, about 14 J hands high. 

MODEL MORGAN 
Was foaled in 1850, the property of Dr. Lemuel Richmond, of 
Derby ,Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire,Sherman, g g sire, Justin 



PEDIGREES. 293 

RIorgau. Dam by White Mountain Morgan, g dam by Royal 
-Morgan. iModel is 14 hands high, and weighs 950 lbs. ; his color is 
dark mahogany bay, with very bushy, beautifully black mane and 
tail. He was exhibited at the Vermont State Fair in 1853, and the 
Committee in their Eeport to the Society say, " tliat he possesses 
as many, or more, of the traits of the old Sherman, than any other 
horse on the grounds." 

MOEGAN STAR 

Was foaled in 1851, in the town of Shelburn, Mass. Sired by 
DeerSeld Morgan, g sire, Green Mountain 2d, g g sire, GifFord, g g 
g sire, VVoodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Cock 
of the Rock, g dam by Magnum Bonum. Morgan Star is 15 hands 
high ; weighs 1,050 lbs. ; his color is a dark dapple bay. With a 
symmetrical figure, he has fine style and action. Is now owned in 
Atwater, Ohio. 

MORGAN CHAMPION. 

(see VERMONT MORGAN CHAMPION ) 

MORGAN NAPOLEON 
Was foaled in 1852, the property of A. C. Palmer, of Charlotte, 
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk Prophet, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Napoleon is 16 hands high, 
and weighs 1,050 lbs. ; his color is jet black, good mane and tail. 
He has a fine open gait, but has never been trained to trot. Re- 
ceived the first premium in the class three years old, at the last 
Vermont State Fair. He is a fine horse. 

MELVIN HORSE 
Was foaled in 1838, the property of Mr. Melvin, of Charlestown, 
Vt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam was a light gray, 15 hands high ; weight, 900 
lbs. Melvin horse is a light gray ; 155 hands high, and weighs 
over 1,100 lbs. Style and action excellent. He is now owned in 
Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

MORGAN COMET. 

(see IVES HORSE.) 



294 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

MORGAN CHIEF. 

(see lathan horse ) 

MERRIMAN HORSE 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of L. Merriman, of Stanstead, 
C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, a chestnut, weighs about 900 lbs, sired by Sir Richard. 
Merriman horse is a bay, 14 hands high, weighs 975 lbs., good 
style, and a good traveller. He is now owned by Robert Trumbull, 
of Belle Centre, Ohio. 

MORGAN FIGURE 
Was foaled in 1850, the property of Solomon Steele, of Beebe 
Plains, C. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, a black, sired by Piermont Morgan, g dam 
sired by Hawkins' horse. Morgan Figure is a jet black, 14 hands 
high ; weighs 950 lbs. He is an excellent horse, compact, with 
plenty of bone, clean, sinewy legs, with fine style and pleasant tem- 
per ; he is a good roadster. He is still the property of Mr. Steele. 

MORGAN POST BOY. 

(see morgan CiESAR.) 

MORGAN DEFIANCE. 
(see brock horse.) 

MORGAN DRAGON 

Was foaled in July, 1853, the property of Gen. Silas M. Bur- 
roughs, Medina, N. Y. Sired by young Black Hawk, g sire, Black 
Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, gg g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Im- 
ported Emigrant, 

MORGAN DEFIANCE 
Was foaled June 14th, 1844, the property of Harvey Nobles, of 
Hartford, Yt. Sired by the Dennison horse or Gold Finder. Dam, 
celebrated stock and road mare, Old Lady Morgan ; sired by Sher- 
man. Morgan Defiance is a jet black, 15 hands high, and weighs 



I 



PEDIGREES. 295 

1,030 lbs., compact, well-formed figure, and high carriage. He is 
now owned by an Association in Northfield, Yt. 

MORGAN EAGLE 
Was foaled in 1827, the property of Daniel Morgan, of Royalton, 
Vt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin i!>.Iorgan. Dam, blood bay, 
of 1,000 pounds weight ; an excellent roadster, but blood unknown. 
Eagle was 145^ hands high, and weighed about 1,100 lbs. ; dapple 
bay, high style, line action, and free, pleasant driver. Morgan sold 
him to Mr. Sprague, of Randolph, Vt. In 1832 Mr. Sprague sold 
him to Philip Farnham, of Turnbridgc, Vt. ]^Ir. Farnham kept 
him till 1839, and sold him to A. M. Foster, of Barre, Vt., and he 
kept him till he died, in 1810. The stock of Morgan Eagle were 
compact, rugged horses, and fine drivers. Morgan Eagle was the 
sire of Lady Sutton. 

MORGAN EMPEROR 
Was foaled the property of Mr. Hough, of Lebanon, N.H. Sired 
by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Imported Prince 
William, formerly kept at Hartford, Conn. Emperor was 15| hands 
high, and weighed 1,025 lbs., color blood bay. Jesse Johnson and 
Brothers kept him one year in Burlington, Vt., in 1835, and while 
there he trotted a mile in 2 min. 55 sec. Afterwards they kept him in 
Bradford two years, when he was sold to Messrs. Hamet and But- 
ler, of Burlington, Vt. In 1837 he went to Chicago. Sired Chi- 
cago Jack, gelding, and North Star, who took the second premium 
at the National Fair in SpringSeld, Mass. ; also the Tillitson 
horse, who trotted a mile in 2 min. 40 sec, on Cambridge Park 
Course, in September, 1843. From Chicago he returned to Bur- 
lington, and went from there to Petersham, Mass., where he died in 
the autumn of 1853. He was close and compact, with good figure ; 
had a very heavy mane and tail, went with mouth wide open, and 
more from the whin than from soirit. 

MORGAN ECLIPSE 

Was foaled in 1848, the property of J. & R. C. Johnson, of Brad- 
ford, Vt. Sired by Morgan Caesar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin 



296 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Morgan. Ed ipse was own brother to Morgan Traveller, 15 hands 
high, and weighed 991 lbs. ; color, beautiful chestnut. Was sold in 
1834 to an Agricultural Society in New-Brunswick, for over $2,000. 
His stock have taken several premiums at State Fairs in Yermont. 
At the Fah' at Brattleboro three of his colts took premiums, be- 
sides two mares with foals by their side from him. He was a very 
fine horse. Pedigree of dam, see Traveller. 

MORGAN EMPIRE 

Was foaled in 1845, the property of Charles Gates, of Petersham, 
Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifibrd, g g sire,Wood- 
bury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Morgan Empire is 15J hands high, 
and weighs a little under 1,100 lbs. ; is a horse of good action, and 
very muscular. He is now owned by G. W. Chamberlain, of Walt- 
ham, Mass. : is a good horse, and has a good reputation for stock. 

MORGAN EMPEROR 2d 

Was foaled in June, 1849, the property of Josiah White, of 
Petersham, Mass. Sired by Morgan Emperor, g sire, Bulrush, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam said to be by Sherman. Morgan Emperor 
is a deep bay, 15 hands high, and weighs 1,075 lbs. He is a strong, 
well-formed, fine moving horse. In 1855 he took two premiums, 
one at United States Fair in Boston, and one at Worcester, Mass. 
He is now owned by Harrison Bacon, of Barre, Mass. 

MORGAN HUNTER 

Was foaled in 1844, the property of Mr. Exwell, of Springfield, 
Yt. Sired by GiiFord, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam sired by Gifford. Hunter is 14| hands high, and of chestnut 
color. Messrs. Ackley & Gilbert, of East Hamilton, Madison Co., 
N. Y., purchased him in May, 1849, but he is now owned by 
Messrs. Farriss and Cook, of Charlottesville, Ya. Is a horse of 
beautiful figure and fine action. 

MORGAN CHIEF 
Was foaled June 18th, 1847. Sired by Gifibrd, g sire, Woodbury, 
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Green Mountain 2d, g dam 



PEDIGREES. 297 

by Messenger. Height 14| hands, weight 960 lbs., color light 
brown, with small star in his forehead. Owned by H. E. Ackley, 
of East Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y. Morgan Chief lost one 
eye by an accident. 

MORGAN BOBBIN 
Was foaled in 1827, the property of Mr. Chamberlain, of Danville, 
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Jus- 
tin jSIorgau. This horse was 14f hands high, weighed 1,000 lbs., 
color bright bay, black mane and tail, with all his legs white half 
up to his knees. Remarkably fine style, great deal of bone and 
muscle, perfectly gentle, good roadster, and fine horse. Mr. Allen 
kept him till 1853, when he sold him to L. D. Ide, of Lyndon, Yt., 
who kept him till he died, the next autumn. He was kept at 
Keene, Lynn, and Walpole, N. H., and at St. Johnsbury, Yt. He 
was sold when young, and owned by Mather Allen, of Guildhall, 
Yt., for many years. 

MORGAN RATTLSR. 

(see eoyal moegan.) 

MORGAN RECRUIT 

Was foaled in July, 1851, the property of Ebenezer Bridges, of 
Pomfret, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gilford, g g sire, 
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan, g dam by Woodbury. Re- 
cruit is dark chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 1,020 lbs., thick set, 
with good limbs, short head, open nostrils, face dishing, wide be- 
tween eyes, and very heavy mane and tail. Now owned by 
E. Bridges, of Pomfret, Yt. 

MORGAN TIGER 1st 

Was foaled in 1827, in Whitefield, N. H. Sired by Cock of the 
Rock, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by the 
noted Bellfouuder. Tiger was a gray roan, 15| hands high, and 
weighed 1,025 lbs. He was a very hardy, enduring horse, full of 
courage, and good action. At four years old he was sold to Judge 
Sumner, of Charlestown, N. H. Judge Sumner kept him a num- 
ber of years, and then sold him to some one in Boston for a parade 
13* 



293 THE MOPvGAN HOP.SE. 

horse. He remained in Boston several years, until, his stock 
proving excellent, he was hunted up and brought back to Corinth, 
Vt., by Daniel Batchelder, of that place. He remained in Orange 
Co., Vt., and Grafton Co., N. H., until his death in 1850. He left 
good stock. 

MOEGAN BUCEPHALUS 

Was foaled in 1853, the property of Geo. W. Cook, of Fairlee, 
Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Caesar, g g sire, 
"Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Woodbury. Color 
chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 900 lbs., has a white stripe on the 
nose. 

MOEGAN GENEEAL 

Was foaled in 1845, the property of Lowell Spencer, of Concord, 
Yt. Sired by Billy Boot, g sire, Sherman, g g sire., Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, a very large mare, fast for her size, sired by Black 
Prince, dam still living, 26 years old. General weighs 1,200 lbs., 
is 15| hands high, and chestnut color. He is a very bold look- 
ing horse, fine style, and good action for a horse of his size ; very 
compact, limbs excellent, but have some long hair on them. Is a 
good horse. He is now owned by Wm. Hill, Oregon City, 111. 

MOEGAN EATTLEE 

Was foaled June 1st, 1850, the property of Jonathan Brewster, of 
Worthington, Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gififord, 
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a fast-trot- 
ting dark bay, sired by Eattler, This horse is a dark bay, 154 hands 
high, and is now owned by A. Yi. Kellogg, of Chicago, Eliuois. 
At the Housatonic Fair, held at Great Barrington, Mass., in 1854, 
and at Eutland, Yt., County Fair, the same year, he received the 
first premium. 

MAJOE 
Was foaled in 1852, the property of Eobbins Battell, of Norfolk, 
Conn. Sired by Eaven, g sire, Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, 
g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a Narragansett pacer. We have 
no further description of this horse, but we believe he is a good one. 



PEDIGREES. 299 

MORGAN SULTAN 

Was foaled 22d May, 1846. Sired by Gifibrd, g sire, Woodbury, 
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by Gifford. Sultan was 
a dapple chestnut. 

MORGAN TRUSTEE 

Was foaled May IGtli, 1848. Sired by Gifford, g sire, Woodbury, 
g g sire, Justin Morgan, Dam by Bulrush, g dam by Morgan 
Fortune, g g dam by Justin Morgan. Trustee was " a dark bay, 
black mane, legs and tail, and a fine horse. 

MAJOR GIFFORD 

Was foaled in 1843, the property of Mr. Ellis, of Springfield, Yt. 
Sired by Gen. Gifford, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Spectator, and he by one of Mes- 
senger's sons. 

At three years old Mr. Ellis sold him to Calvin Blodget, of Wat- 
erbury, Yt. In 1S47, '48, and '49, he was kept at Chelsea, Yt., 
and in the fall of 1849, at the New York State Fair at Syracuse, 
Mr. Blodget sold a half interest in him to A. Mason, of Jordan, 
New York, and in 1856 sold the remaining interest to the same 
gentleman. 

MOUNTAIN EAGLE 

Was foaled the property of Mr. Buckminster, of Danville, Yt. 
Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Lady Empress, 
an English mare. Eagle is a dark chestnut, 15 J hands high, and 
weighs 1,050 lbs. Amos Kendall took him to Jefferson County, 
New York. WTien we last heard from him he was owned by Mar- 
tin Hungerford, Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York. Yery 
showy, and active horse. 

MQRGAN CHIEFTAIN 

Was foaled in September, 1853, the property of W. P. Balch, of 
Boston, Mass. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sher- 
man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam raised in Bradford ; sired 
by Woodbury ; could trot a mile in three minutes, and was a fast 



300 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

traveller. Chieftain is a dark dapple chestnut. He is a stout, 
thick-built horse, and when 26 months old weighed 930 lbs. He 
carries a high head, and has a small ear. He is a promising horse. 
He is now owned by Mr. Balch, and is kept in Hancock, N. H., by 
Hiram Fuller. 

MORGAN BLACK HAWK 

Was foaled in 1849, the property of G. Eamsdale, New Ipswich, 
N. H. Sired by Anglo Saxon, g sire. Black Hawk, g g sire, Sher- 
man, g g g 'iivQ, Justin Morgan. Dam, a noted mare, of Sherman 
Morgan blood. 

Morgan Black Hawk is 15^ hands high ; weighs 1,030 lbs. Hia 
color is dark, dappled bay. A fine, compact-looking horse, and a 
good traveller. 

MESSER HORSE. 

(see SHERMAN MOKGAN.) 

MORGAN TRAVELER 
Was foaled in 1847, the property of J. & R. C. Johnson, of Brad- 
ford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Caesar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Jus- 
tin Morgan. Dam, known as Lady Clifton, sired by Americas 
Eclipse. Morgan Traveller is a beautiful dark chestnut, 15 hands 
high, weighs 1,000 lbs., and is a horse of very fine form and excel- 
lent action. 

MORGAN TRAVELER 2d 

Was foaled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1850. Sired by 
Mountain Eagle, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. He is 
dark chestnut, 16 hands high, and well proportioned. Took the 
first premium at St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Fair, in 1852. 

MYRICK HORSE. 

(see SHERMAN BLACK HAWK.) 

MORGAN TALLY HO. 

(see WALKER HORSE.) 



PEDIGREES. 801 

MORGAN COMET 

Was foaled in 1849, in St. Johnsbury, Vt. Sired by Billy Root, 
g sire, Sherman, g' g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a half-blood 
English mare. He is well-proportioned, a good traveller, moves in 
beautiful style, thoroughly broken, can be driven by anybody. 
His stock is good, and he is a fine horse. He is chestnut, about 
15 hands high, and weighs about 1,000 lbs. He is now owned by 
A. H. Wilcox, St. Johnsbury, Yt. 

MORRILL HORSE 
Was sired by Jennison horse, g sire, Toung Bulrush, g g sire. Bul- 
rush, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Farrington horse, 
he by Yance horse, and Yance horse by Imported Messenger. 
Morrill horse is thirteen years old, a jet black color, and weighs 
1,225 lbs. He is a powerful and fast-trotting horse. 

MORGAN TIGER 2d 

Was foaled in 1827, the property of Major Ford, of Braintree, 
Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. About 1831 he 
was sent to Chariestown, Mass., and was kept at Col. Jaques, where 
he remained ten years. In 1843 he was bought by Mr. Howe, of 
Bridport, Yt. ; and brought into Bridport, Addison county, where 
he was kept two seasons. He was a superior horse ; and when four 
years old, was valued at $1,000. His color was dark bay, with 
two or three white feet, star in the forehead, and heavy curly black 
mane and tail ; was 141 hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. His action 
was good ; he was not fast, but hardy and enduring ; he was old, 
when we first saw him, and was foundered. 

MORGAN FUSION 
Was foaled May 7th, 1856, the property of H. B. Munson, of 
Seymour, Conn. Sired by Raven, g sire. Black Hawk, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Dolly Hale, was sired 
by Green Mountain 2d, g dam by Young American Eclipse, g g 
dam. Imported Silk Stockings. Dolly Hale was half brother to the 
celebrated trotting horse Rinton. 



S02 THE MORGAN HOUSE. 

MOUNTAINEER 

Was foaled July 15tli, 1854, the property of Ira Gififord, of 
New Haven, Yt. Sired by Rising Sun, g sire, Black Hawk, g g 
Gire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Wheeler 
horse, g dam by Hebard horse. 

Mountaineer is dapple chestnut, without marks. Above medium 
size, with excellent limbs, good style of action, and is a promising 
colt. 

NEWTON HORSE 

Was foaled in Haverhill, N. H. Sired by Bailey horse, g sire, 
Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Weight, 1,100 lbs. Color, 
chestnut. 

NORTH HORSE. 

(see SHERMAN BLACK HAWK.) 

NEWEL'S GRAY 

Was foaled the property of Mr. Stiles, of Waterbury, Yt. Sired 
by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Bam of brown color, large 
and heavy. Sired by A'ance horse (Yance horse was gray) ; he 
by old Phoenix. Newel's Gray was gray ; 15i hands high ; fine 
figure with a great deal of fire and spirit, but wanted bone. Ha 
took his name from T. Newel, who owned him for a long time. He 
was burned, in the stable of Mr. Sparhawk, of Walpole, N. H., in 
1838 or '39. Mr. Sparhawk purchased him of John Bellows. 

NORTH STAR 

Was foaled the property of David Lincoln, of Greenwich, Mass. 
Sired by Morgan Emperor, g sire. Bulrush, g ^ sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam, a bay. He took the second premium at the National Fair 
at Springfield, Mass., 1854. He is a bright bay ; weighs l,060lbs. ; 
black and curly mane and tail. He is a very symmetrical, well-shaped 
horse, with fine bold style and excellent action ; and is now o->\Tied 
by Henry Olmstead, East Hartford, Conn. 

NEARING HORSE. 

(see ADDISON.) 



PEDIGEEES. 803 

NILES HORSE 
Was foaled in 1846, the property of Daniel Niles, of Canada 
East. Sired by Royal Morgan, g. sire, Sherman, g g sire Justin 
Morgan. Dam, brown ; 15 hands high ; weight about 1,000 lbs. 
Sired by Black Snake. He by Prince Lee Boo. Niles horse is a 
black, 15h hands high ; weighs about 1,100 lbs., with good style 
and action. He is now ov/ucd by Daniel Niles. 

NICHOLAS 
Was foaled in 1853, in Norfolk, Conn. Sired by ''- Raven," g sire, 
Black Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Justm Morgan. 
Owned by Harman Hamlin, Canton, N. Y. 

NIMROD 

Was foaled in 1824. Sired by True American, and he by 
Quicksilver. Dam a bay, sired by Justin Morgan, g dam an 
English mare. He was jet black ; 151 hands high, and weighed 
1,150 lbs. Was a ho»'se of good style and action, and left some 
excellent stock. He died at East Berkshire in May, 1854, where 
lie had been kept for seventeen years, by Mr. Joseph Smith. 

ONE-EYE 

Was foaled May 20th, 1834, the property of Moses Chamberlain 
of Bradford, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam 
by " Postboy." This horse is 14 J hands high, weighs 975 lbs., and 
is of mahogany bay color. A very fine horse, good style and ac- 
tion. Stepped light, but was not fast ; was kept as a stock horse 
in New Jersey. Lost one eye when two years old, the consequence 
of a boy throwing a stone at him. In 1846 Geo. W. Kilburn, now 
living at Papermill Yillage, N. H., bought him of Rufus Calhoun, 
and kept him till 1852, when he sold him to Joseph Peters of Brad- 
ford, Yt., and from Peters he went to New Jersey. 

ORLEANS FLYING MORGAN 

Was foaled in" 1849, the property of Dr. Samuel Richmond, of 
Derby, Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam, a dark bay, sired by Gifford. He is 14^ 



804 THE MOKGAN HOESE. 

hands bigli, and weigbs 975 lbs. ; color, bright bay ; white hind 
feet, and a little white in the face. A very lively, active horse, of 
fine style. His stock excellent, and sell well. 

OLD MOERELL HOESE 

Was foaled about 1830, the property of Mr. Morell. Sired by 
"Woodburv. 

PIKE HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Philander Bobbins, of Chelsea, Vt. 
Sired by Clarke horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 

PUTNAM HOESE 

Was foaled in 182.5, the property of Putnam & Hitchcock, of 
Bethel, Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, 
an English blood mare, bred by Col. Eay, of Fort Ann, N. Y., and 
called Nancy, sired by the celebrated horse Chanticleer, g dam by 
Imported Messenger. He was kept in Bethel and neighboring 
towns most of his life, and died in June, 1855, the property of David 
W. Cowdry, of Tunbridge, Yt. Weight 1,000 lbs. ; dark chestnut 
color, with a few white hairs in his face between the eyes. A fine 
horse, and left excellent stock. Style, action and appearance much 
like Woodbury. Was regarded as one of the best of his sons. 

PAUL CLIFFORD 

Was foaled in 1843. Sired by Black Hawk, g si:'e. Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Young Hamiltonian. He by 
Bishop's Hamiltonian, and he by Imported Messenger. Grand 
dam by Leonidas, an imported horse. Color, mahogany bay, 15|- 
hands high. Now owned by Messrs. Hunsden & Wilcox, of Oswego, 
Tioga Co., N. Y. He is a very fine horse, and received the first 
premium at the National Fair, Springfield, Mass, in 1854. 

PRINCE ALBERT 

Was foaled in June, 1846, the property of Joel Hay ward, of Ashby, 
Mass. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, GiiTord, g g sire, Wood- 
bury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Messenger ; 14^ hands 
high ; weight, 1,000 lbs. ; color, bay. Prince Albert is dark chest- 



PEDIGREES. 305 

nat, 14| hands high, weighs 1,010 lbs. His style and action are 
very spirited. He is pleasant-tempered and very playful. His 
stock is good and sell well. He was kept in Malone, N. Y., in the 
season of 1854 and '55, and is there at this time, but is owned by 
S. F. Wright, Nashua, N. H. 

PEACOCK MORGAN 
Was foaled in 1851, the property of Hon. Milo Bennett, of 
Burlington, Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan. Dam, a high-blood 
Woodbury Morgan mare. Peacock is 14J hands high, weighs 925 
lbs. ; color, very dark chestnut. He is lively, pleasant, full of ac- 
tion and easily controlled ; is a compact, hardy horse, with excel- 
lent limbs, fine style, and a pleasant driver. Still owned by Mr. 
Bennett, Burlington, Yt. 

PLATO 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Messrs. Grosvenor, of Shoreham, 
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, a large bay mare by Sir Charles, g dam by Post-boy. 
Sir Charles was by Duroc. Plato is 16 hands high ; a jet black, 
and weighs 1,100 lbs.- Trotted repeatedly when three years old a 
half mile in 1.25. Now owned by D. A. Bennett & Co., of Brid- 
port, Yt, and is a fine horse. Post-boy was by imported Diomede. 
Dam of Sir Charles, by Plato, a son of Imported Messenger. 

POPE HORSE 

Was foaled the property of Joseph Pope, of Danville, Yt. Sired 
by Sherman, g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, old Poppet, sired by 
Justin Morgan. Dark chestnut color, small star in forehead, stifle 
thin, quarters light, back rather long ; eye, ear, head and neck 
exceedingly beautiful ; high, sharp withers, roomy chest, fore legs 
good, hind legs crooked, hocks wide apart and feet close ; very high 
carriage and very spirited. At five years old, sold to a British 
ofBcer in Canada for a riding horse. 

PUTNAM HORSE 2d 

Was foaled in 1845, the property of Benj. G. Putnam, of North 
Orange, Yt. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire. 



306 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morg-an. Dam, a gray ; said to be of 
Messenger stock. Putnam is fifteen hands high, weighs 1,150 lbs. ; 
color, dapple gray. Perfectly gentle and well broken ; good driver 
and good under the saddle. Still owned by Mr. Putnam. 

PLEASANT GALE 

Was foaled in 1852, the property of Bobbins Battell, of Norfolk, 
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, Jr., g sire. Black Hawk, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Long's Eclipse. 

PETERS MORGAN 

Was sired by Morgan Chief, g sire, Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam by Gold Finder. 

PRESIDENT 
Was foaled in 1848, the property of H. Crane, now of Albion, 
Mich. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam was a large light gray, of Messenger descent, 16 
hands high. 

President is IG hands high, weighs 1,050 lbs., is jet black, and a 
horse of firm action and good style. Was sold when six years old, and 
taken to Napicrville, 111. When seven years old, he was purchased 
by H. Benson, of Hinesburgh, Yt. He was awarded the first pre- 
mium in the class of three years' old stallions, by the Michigan State 
Agricultural Society ; and also the first premium as the best stal- 
lion at the Washtenaw Co. Fair, Mich. 

PARKS HORSE 

Was sired by Green Mountain 1st, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Color, chestnut ; not fast, but in style and action not 
easily surpassed. Weight, 925 lbs. 

RANDOLPH MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1819 or '20, in Randolph, Vt. Sired by Bulrush, g 
sire, Justin I\Iorgau ; 13J hands high, weight 925 lbs., color bay ; 
stock fine. Was kept in Randolph, Northfield, and neighboring 
towns. 



PEDIGKEES. 807 



KIP VAN WINKLE 

Was foaled in 1852 ; the property of Smith & Thurber, of Rouse's 
Point, N. Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Shermau, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Color black, with stripe in face, and some white on 
feet. " Size, large, will make a horse of 1,100 lbs. When 18 months 
old, he trotted a fourth mile on the ice in 50 s., and when three 
years old, he trotted one-half mile in 1 m. 22 g. He is now owned 
by E. A. North, of Champlain, N. Y." 

EOLLAND HOESE 

Was foaled in 1846 ; the property of Ezekiel White, of Topsham, 
Yt. Sired by the Bailey horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam sired by Carson horse. Height 14 J hands, weight 
975 lbs., color chestnut, white fore feet, and white stripe in face. 
Now owned by T. & D. Eolland, of Corinth, Yt. He took the 
second premium in his class, at the last Yt. State Fair. He is a 
smart trotter, spirited and stylish. 

EOBIN 

Was foaled in 1846, sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett horse, 
g g sire, GiSbrd, g g g sire Woodbury, g g g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam sired by Cock of the Rock. 15 hands high, and sorrel 
chestnut color. Time on Cambridge Course, 2 ms. 45 s. Sold, 
in 1854, in Boston, for $2000. Now owned by Mr. Snow. 

ROUNDS COLT 
Was foaled in 1848. Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett 
horse, g g sire , Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam sired by Harris horse. Color black ; 15 5 hands 
high. This horse was sold in New York city for $1,500. A 
quarter crack was discovered after sale, and he was taken back. 

RAMSEY HOESE 
Was foaled in 1839 ; the property of Robert Ramsey, of Derby 
Yt. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, a chestnut ; weight about 900 lbs. Ramsey 



308 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

horse is a chestnut, 15i hands high, weighs 1,100 lbs., with fair 
style and action. Is now owned West. 

ROMEO 1st 

Was foaled April 30th, 1848 ; the property of Silas Hale, of South 
Royalston, Mass. Sired by Green Mt. 2d, g sire, Gifford, g g sire 
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sherman, g 
dam a Messenger mare. Mr. Hale kept Romeo until September 
2d, 1852, when he sold him to S. H. Edgerly, Esq., of Manchester, 
N. H., for $600. Mr. Edgerly kept him until March 22d, 1854, 
when he sold him to Edward C. David, of Dubuque, Iowa-, for 
Sl,500, and he is now owned by Mr. David. In 1853, Romeo re- 
ceived premiums at the Hillsboro County Fair, N. H. , and at the 
N. H. State Fair, at Manchester. In the Fall of 1854, he re- 
ceived the first premium at Dubuque County Fair, in Iowa. Is a 
fine horse, and much resembles his sire. 

ROMEO 2d 

Was foaled in 1851. Sired by Esty horse. Grand sire. Black 
Hawk, g g sire, Sherman, g g g sire, Jastin Morgan. Dam of 
Esty horse, sired by Old Romeo. Dam of Romeo, a Messenger 
mare ; purchased in Maine. 

Romeo is 15^ hands high, weight 965 lbs., color dark roan. 
Good-proportioned, and very fast. He received the first premium 
of $200 at the United States' Fair at Boston, in 1855, as the 
fastest trotting stallion of his class. Of easy and graceful action, 
and a very fine horse. Now owned by Benjamin Thurston, of 
Lowell, Mass., the former owner of Black Hawk. 

REYENGE 
Was foaled in Claremont, N. H. Sired by Justin Morgan. For 
further particulars, see Chapter VII. 

RAYBN 
Was foaled May 31st, 1848 ; the property of Robbins Battel!, of 
Norfolk, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Took the first premium in his class, at the State 
Fair in Conn., in the fall of 1855. He is a very fine horse. 



PEDIGREES. 309 

RISING SUN 
Was foaled in 1850 ; the proparty of Gr. V. Oook, of New 
Haven, Yt. Is a dark chestnut, with a small white spot in the 
forehead, and one white hind foot. 

Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam, said to have both Morgan and Messenger blood. He is 15| 
hands high, and weighs a little less than 1,100 lbs. Limbs are 
large, muscular and well shaped, and the whole animal well pro- 
portioned, possessing abundance of life and vital energy. He is a 
fine horse. He received the first premium at the Addison 
County Fair, in 1854. In the autumn of 1855, Mr. Cook took 
him to Winchester, Scott County, Illinois 

ROWEL HORSE 

Was foaled in 1844 ; the property of Moses Gr. Rowel, of Ton- 
bridge, Yt. Sired by Hebard horse. Dam by Old Morrill, g dam 
by Woodbury. Bright chestnut, and weighs about 1100 lbs. Is a 
good horse. 

ROYAL MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1821 ; the property of Mr. Aldrich, of St. Johns- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, known 
as Aldrich mare, and sired by Justin Morgan. She was a dark bay 
of remarkably compact form, with great powers of endurance. She 
produced and nursed a colt the summer after she was 29 years old. 
He is 13 J hands high, and when in his prime, and in high con- 
dition, weighed l.OOOlbs. It is said that in July, 1844, he weighed 
l,0201bs. He is a dark bay, with black legs, mane and tail, and a 
small star in the forehead. It has been said that he was not sired 
by Sherman, but by the Batclielder horse. We have taken some 
pains to satisfy ourselves on this point, and have stated his pedi- 
gree according to our convictions. The facts seem to be that the 
dam of Royal Morgan was coupled with the Batchelder horse, 
early in the spring of 1820 ; but the following July, the mare not 
proving in foal, Mr. Aldrich sent her to Sherman, and the following 
year paid for the services of the latter horse. 

Mr. Aldrich sold him, wh^ % colt, and he was taken to Maine, 
Tirhere he was known as Morgan Rattler. In 1829, he was taken 



810 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

to Derby, Yt. A few years after this, lie became the ]Toperty of 
Mr. Crane, who owned him several years, and became much 
attached to the horse. A short time previous to his death, Mr. 
Crane directed that the horse should be carved on his tomb-stone, 
"which we believe has been done. 

Throughout the southern part of Vermont, the horse is known 
as the Crane horse ; about Derby, as the Steele horse, and in 
some places as the Chamberlain Colt. The administrators of 
Crane's estate sold the horse to Solomon Steele, Esq., of Derby 
Line, Yt. In 1847, Mr. Steele, having a good offer for him, was 
about selling him, when Portus Baxter and Doctor L. Richmond, 
of Derby, organized a stock company, of which Mr. Steele was 
President, and the horse was kept by him. Three or four years 
since he was purchased by William Baxter, Esq., of Barton, Yt., 
by whom he is now owned. We saw him in February last ; he 
was turned loose into a yard with several young colts, and although 
35 years old, he seemed to trot as readily and easily as any of 
them, exhibiting much of that elasticity and nervousness of step 
which characterized him when in his prime. 

His head is not very fine ; ears only medium ; eyes beautiful ; 
neck, crest, withers, shoulders and chest, excellent ; back, loins and 
hips, good, and limbs unsurpassed ; mane and tail thick and long, 
and a little long hair about the limbs. His stock average larger 
than himselfj and are very numerous in all the northern portion 
of the State. They are hardy, enduring ; almost invariably good 
tempered ; and free, pleasant drivers. 

SHERMAN MORGAN 1st 

Was foaled in 1835, the property of Moses Cook, of Campton, 
N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan, The pedigree 
of the dam not fully established, but conceded to have been a very 
fine animal, and said to be from the Justin Morgan. Sherman 
Morgan is 15 hands high, weighs about 1,050 lbs., is dark chestnut, 
and very much resembles his sire Sherman, but heavier, stockier, 
and not as much action. A fine horse, and is now kept in the stable 
at Lancaster, N. H., where the Sherman died. He is owned by 
A. J. Congdon. 



PEDIGEEES. 811 

SHERMAN KING 

Was sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan, color dark bay, with 
a small star in his forehead, very compact, breast-bone very promi- 
nent, head high, and very fine ; full of spirit and courage, and excel- 
lent action. 

STOCKBRIDGE CHIEF 
Was foaled m 1843. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sir Charles. 16 hands high, 
weight 1,200 lbs, color chestnut. At the State Fair at Providence, 
B. I., he trotted a mile in 2.44. Is a well proportioned, strong, 
going horse. Is now owned by P. W. Bishop, Chatham Four- 
Corners N. Y. 

SHERMAN BLACK HAWK 

Was foaled in 1845, the property of B. J. Myrick, of Bridport, Yt. 
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam by Young Hamiltonian, owned by Allen Smith, Esq., of 
Addison, Yt., and bred by Judge Larabee, of Shoreham, Yt. 
Dam of Young Hamiltonian, by Leonidas, g dam by Bellfounder, 
g dam of Sherman Black Hawk by Imported Matchem. 15^ 
hands high, weighs 1,080 lbs., color jet black, with small star in his 
forehead. He has trotted a mile in less than 2.40. Is a compact, 
well-made, excellent tempered horse, and moves in fine style. Is very 
spirited, but perfectly tractable. 

SHERMAN MORGAN DEFIANCE ^ 

Was foaled in 1849, the property of James Morse, of Haveihill, 
N. H. Sired by Boston Tiger, g sire, Cock of the Rock, g g sire, 
Sherman, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Woodbury. This 
horse is 16 hands high, weight 1,150 lbs., color black chestnut, 
fine action and style. When one year old, he was purchased by 
C. C. Smith, Esq., of Corinth, Yt, who now owns him. 

SIR CHARLES 
Was foaled June 29th, 1852, the property of H. W. Bailey, of 
Newbury, Yt. Sired by Coos Morgan. Dam by Morrill Mor- 



312 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

gan, g dam by Morgan Eagle. Height 15 hands, weight 975 lbs., 
color blood-bay, easy gaited, with fine style and action, heavy set 
of limbs, pleasant temper, and good horse. 

SHERMiN MORGAN 2d 

Was foaled in 1845. Sired by Sherman Morgan 1st., g sire, Sher- 
man, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Flint horse. 14| 
hands high, weight 950 lbs., color dark chestnut. Has a fine figure, 
easy action, gentle and spirited. Now owned by D. E. Lucy, of 
Waterbury, Yt, and kept by him for a driving horse. 

SCOTT HORSE 

"Was foaled in 1840, the property of J. L. Scott, of Newport, Yt. 
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Scott horse is a dark bay, 16 hands high, weight little less than 
1,200 lbs., a compact well-made horse. He is now owned by Col. 
Thomas Kent, of Orford, N. H. 

SHIRTLIFF HORSE 

Was foaled in 1847, the property of Moses Copp, of Stanstead, 
0. E. Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam a bay about 16 hands high, and weighed about 
1,000 lbs. Shirtliff horse is a dark bay, 15 hands high, and weighs 
1,000 lbs. Has good style, is active and lively. He is now owned 
in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

STRANGER 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Mr. E. Slater, of Essex, Yt. 
Sired by Flying Morgan, g sire, Hackett horse, g g sire, Gifibrd, 
g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a large 
fine animalj'^said to be a Morgan, was a bay 15^ hands high, and 
weighed 1,100 lbs. Stranger is a dark chestnut, 14^ hands high, 
weight 900 lbs. He is compact and muscular, very playful and 
active. In February, 1855, he trotted at Hillsborough, N. Y., 
with several horses, for a purse, making time in 2.58, and beating 
all horses of his age, though beaten by a six years' old. Stranger 



PEDIGREES. 313 

is a fine horse, and gives promise of being fast. Sold, in Febra- 
ary, 1855, to Dr. H. Renson, of Hinesburgb, .who now owns him. 

STEYENS HORSE 
Was bred in Plermont, N. H., by Moses Lamed. Sired by One 
Eye, g sire, Bukush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Bay color, weight 
915 lb3. Was taken to Rhode Island. A fast horse. He was 
advertised as raised by Jesse Johnson & Brothers, but he was net. 

SEUM 
Was foaled Jane 2, 1844, the property of J. Gibson, West Cam- 
bridge, Mass. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Romeo. Seiim is 15^ hands high, 
and weighs a little under 1,100 lbs. His body is dark roan, with 
black legs, mane, and tail. He is a good horse, and his stock prove 
good. He is now owned by Jeremiah Giisou, at West Cambridge, 
Mass. 

SMITH MORGAN 

Was foaled in June, 1850, the property of John Robinson, of An- 
trim, N. H. Sired by Flint horse, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam a fine marc, owned by John Robinson, of Antrim, 
N. H., known as the Robinson mare. This horse is light chestnut 
color, 16^ hands high, form good, limbs heavy, and weighs 1,310 
lbs. He is a showy, handsome traveller. His stock prove good. 

SAWYER HORSE. 
(see young burbank ;) 

(or morgan traveller.) 

SEARCHER 

Was foaled in 1847, the property of Samuel Moore, of Shoreham, 
Yt. Was sired by Barney ilenry. Dam sired by GifFord, and noted 
for her speed and endurance. Searcher is a dark bay, with black 
legs, mane, and tail, and no white hairs ; is nearly 17 hands high 
and weighs over 1,200. When four years old, he received the first 
premium, in his class, at the Addison County Agricultural Fair. 
He has a beautiful coat, a bold, fearless style of movement, and ex- 
14 



S14 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

cellent action for a horse of his size. In the autumn of 1851, he 
trotted a mile, at Middlebury, in less than three minutes, although 
untrained. He is a very fine horse, and is now owned by Minor 
Andrews, Esq., of Franklin Mills, Portage county, Ohio, where he 
is acquiring an excellent reputation. 

TWIN MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1840 or '41 ; the property of Dix Whitney, of Brook- 
field, Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, a large 
coarse brown marc, deficient in constitution. Twin Morgan weighs 
950 lbs. ; head a little low, color brown ; a very fair horse. Went 
to N. H. 

TAYLOR HORSE 
Was foaled the property of James Taylor, of Bolton, 0. E. 
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam, a bay, about 16 hands high ; weighed about 1,100 lbs; de- 
scended from Le Boo. Taylor is a blood bay, 14 hands high, and 
weighs about 1,000 lbs. ; style and action good. 

When two years old, Mr. Taylor sold him to R. Bowker, Esq., 
of Mansonville, C. E., who now owns him. 

TECUMSEH 
Was foaled 25th May, 1851 ; the property of H. F. Griffith, of 
Tunbridge, Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire 
Justin Morgan. Dam by Young Bulrush 1st, g dam by Morgan 
Eagle, g g dam by Ainsworth horse, g g g dam by Justin Morgan. 
Tecumseh is a dark mahogany bay, 14.} hands high, and weighs 
975 lbs. Received the first premium in the class of ''Morgan 
Crosses," when entered as three year's old at Yt. State Fair, at 
Montpelier. He is now owned by H. F. Griffith, of Tunbridge, 
Yt., and is a horse of very fine action and style. 

TURNER'S BLACK HAWK 

Was foaled June 22d, 1848 ; the property of S. T. Turner, Oi 
-Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, 
g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam was a beautiful bay, weighed about 1,050 lbs., and was brod 



PEDIGREES. 315 

by Payne Turner, Esq., of Essex Co., N. Y. Turner's Black 
Hawk is a mahogany bay, 15| hands high ; weighs 1,100 lbs. ; has 
good action and fine style. He is now in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

YEEMOXT MORGAN CHAMPION 

Was foaled about 1826 ; the property of Mr. Woodruff, of Jeffer- 
son, N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire Justin Morgan. He was 15 
hands high, and weighed 1,150 lbs. ; color, black ; a horse of great 
action, and a capital roadster. Could trot a mile in 3 minutes. 
High carriage and smooth light movement. He was afterwards 
owned by Judwine & Houghton, of Hardwick, Yt., and sold by 
them to Mr. Lansing, of Lansingburgh, N. Y. Was purchased 
and taken to Danville, Yt., in 1845, where he was kept till he died 
in 1846. He had a fine head, and slightly Roman nose. His stock 
command a high price, and many are fast. 

YERMONT 

Was sired by Gifford, g sire Woodbury, g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam, sired by Green Mountain 2d, g dam Phebe ; owned by J. L. 
Woods. She was sired by a horse known in Mass. as Tom Mor- 
gan, and noted for his, speed and bottom. Tom Morgan was by 
True Briton. Yermont received the first premium in his 
class at the State Fair in Brattleboro, in 1854. He is dark 
chestnut, 14 hands high, weighs 950 lbs. A very close, compact 
made horse. Now owned by Joseph Peters, of Bradford, Yt. 

YERMONT 2d 
Was foaled the property of Thomas Randall, of Danville, Yt. 
Sired by Morgan Comet, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam by Sherman, g dam by Justin Morgan, known as the Wood- 
man mare. Yermont 2d weighs 925 lbs., is 14i hands high, and of 
dark chestnut color. Head, eye and ear beautiful ; throat and 
jowls very fine. Close, compact horse ; spirited and active ; stylo 
not so high as some. Now owned by Danford Carpenter, of Wil- 
loughby. Lake County, Ohio, and is a valuable animal. 

YERMONT CHAMPION 
Was foaled June 26th, 1844. Sired by Yermont Morgan Champion, 



816 THE MORGAN HORSE. 

g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Morgan. Dam, a thick-set Dutch 
mare ; weighed about 1,100 lbs. Vermont Champion is black, 15 
hands high, and weighs 975 lbs. He is a fine traveler, can trot a 
mile in 3 minutes, and is a very fast walker. Limbs good size, flat, 
bony, and muscular. Neck long and thick ; ears short and lively ; 
he has a Roman nose. He is now kept in Marshfield, Vt., and is 
owned by George M. and Benjamin Town. 

YERMONTER 
Was foaled in 1849 ; the property of Robbins Battell, of Norfolk, 
Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, an English marc. Sold to William Starr, Esq., of 
Burlington, Iowa. He is a very fine horse, and w^e understand was 
sold by Mr. Starr, m the spring of 185G, for 81,800. 

VERMONT MORGAN. 

(SSE WILEY COLT.) 

VERMONT CHIEF 
Was foaled June 24th, 1848 ; the property of Smith F. Kelley, of 
Pittsford, Vt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire Sherman, g g sire 
Justin Morgan. Dam, sired by a Messenger horse called Majesty, 
g dam by Magnum Bonum, g g dam by imported Yellow Bird. 
Vermont Chief is a dark chestnut, 151 hands high, and weighs 
1,075 ll3s. He has a good figure and a good style of movement. 
He received the first premium in his class when three years old, at 
the Rutland County Agricultural Fair, and the second premium at 
the Vermont State Fair, in 1855. He is now owned by Elisha S. 
Kelley, Danby, Du Page county, Illinois. 

WOODBURY 2d 

Was foaled June 21st, 1847, the property of Luke Havens, Esq., 
of New Haven, Vt. Sired by the Wheeler horse, g sire, Hackett 
horse, g g sire, Gifford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin 
Morgan. Dam, a grey of medium size, sired by Hackett horse, 
g dam by Woodbury. Woodbury 2d is a beautifully dappled gray, 
14^ hands h-'-^-h, and has weighed 1,020 lbs., but his fair average 



PEDIGliEES. 317 

weight is 950 lbs. His neck is rather longer than is usual in the 
breed. His style is excellent, and he is a light, easy-stepping horse, 
full of vigor and action. He is now owned by Joshua Scott, Esq. 
Vergennes, Yt. 

WHEELER HORSE 

Was foaled in 1844, the property of Mr. Mead, of Cornwall, Yt. 
Sired by Hackett horse, g sire, Gifford, g g sire, Woodbury, g g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Gifford. When a suckling 
colt he was sold to Col. Nash, of New Haven, Yt., who soon after 
sold him to Freeman Wheeler, of New Haven. Wheeler horse is 
about 14 hands high, of a dark chestnut color, and weighs about 
950 lbs. He is an exceedingly active, hardy, and vigorous horse. 
In 1854 Mr. Wheeler took him to Wisconsin. 

WHITE MOUNTAIN 

Was foaled in 1852, the property of S. H. Edgerly, of Manchester, 
N. H. Sired by Green Mountain 2d, g sire, Gifibrd, g g sire, 
Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Brooks horse, 
g dam by Cock of the Rock. Height, 15 hands ; weight, 975 lbs. ; 
color, dark chestnut. -Time, 2 min. 50 sec. A very pleasant-tem- 
pered horse, of good style, and a good driver. Still owned by Mr. 
Edgerly. 

WILEY COLT 

Was foaled in 1848, the property of Mr. Hutton, of Canton, St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y. Sired by Mountain Eagle, g sire, Sherman, 
g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Barnum's Cock of the Rock. 
Wiley Colt is a fine bay, black mane, tail, and legs, 15 J hands high, 
and weighs 1,050 lbs. When a suckling colt Hutton sold him to 
Mr. Wiley, of Canton, N. Y. In August, 1853, Mr. Wiley sold 
him to Hon. Milo Bennett, Burlington, Yt., who sent him to Yir- 
ginia, and kept him in Augusta County till the autumn of 1855, 
when he sold hira to a company at Greensburgh, Pcnn. He was a 
prime horse, and his stock is good. 

WELLINGTON HORSE 
AVas foalcci in June, 1853, the property of Nathan Stone, of New 
Ipswich, N. H. Sired by Comet, g sire, Billy Root, g g sire, Sher- 



318 TilE MORGAN HOUSE. 

man, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. This horse is 14 hands high, and 
weighs 900 ibs. ; color, liglit chestnut, with liglit mane and tail. 
His form and action very like his sire, Comet. He is now owned 
by Mr. Oliver Wellington, Phillipstown, Mass. 

WHITE MOUNTAIN MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1834, the property of John A. Willard, of Lancaster, 
N. H. Sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, an 
English blood mare, weighing 1,150 Tbs. White Mountain Morgan 
is 154 hands high, and weighs 1,100 lbs. ; color, dark chestnut. He 
has been kept most of his life at St. Johnsbury and vicinity. He 
is a very compact, well-shaped horse, excellent head and neck, fine 
style of movement, and a good traveler, but not so much spirit as 
some. A very hardy and enduring horse. His stock are not de- 
ficient in spirit, and many of them have a great deal of life, and 
are generally excellent animals. He is now owned in Townsend, Yt. 

WILD-AIR 

Was foaled in 1850, the property of Lyman Pease, of Bridport, 
Yt. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan. Dam, a large, powerful mare, sired by Harris' Hamiltonian ; 
15| hands high ; weight, 1,100 lbs. ; black color, with three white 
feet, and a star in his face. Went to Ohio in the spring of 1856. 
He is a fine horse. 

WINDSOR MORGAN 
Was foaled the property of Charles W. Barker, of Henniker, N. H. 
Sired by Burbank horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Mor- 
gan ; 15 hi^nds high ; weight, 1,095 lbs. ; color, dark bay. Went 
to Wisconsin when very old. 

WAY HORSE 

Was foaled in 1849, the property of Joseph Way, of Derby, Yt. 
Sired by Royal Morgan, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam, sired by Woodbury. Way horse is a blood bay, 144 hands 
high, and weighs 975 lbs. His mane and foretop are very heavy, 
the former nearly three, and the latter nearly two feet long. Style 
and action good. 



PEDIGKEES. 819 

WOODBURY 
Was foaled iu 1816. Sired by Justin Morgan. For further par- 
ticulars, see Chapter Seven. 

WALKER HORSE 

Was, foaled in 1835, the property of Win. Walker, of Hartland, Vt 
Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin ISIorgan. Dam by Tally Ho. 
Waliier horse is 16 hands high, and v/eighs about 1,300 lbs. ; blood 
bay, with black mane and tail ; strong, compact, and muscular 
horse. Style and action good for one of his size. Still owned by 
Mr. Wolker. ^ 

WHALEBONE, 

Formerly known as the Clark horse, was foaled about the year 
1827, the property of Mr. Bradley, of Fryeburg, Maine. Was 
sired by Sherman, g sire, Justin Morgan. Chestnut color, 15 hands 
high, and weighs 975 lbs. He was the sire of Whalebone, who, in 
double harness, with Lantern, trotted a match on Long Island, in 
June, 1855, against Stella and Alice Gray, mile heats, beating 
them, in 2 min. 42 sec. 

Pie has the reputation of being a fine horse ; but we are unable 
to give any more particulars concerning him. He is now owned in 
Turner, Maine. 

YOUNG BURBANK 1st 

Was foaled in 1835, the property of David Tucker, of Newbury. 
Yt. Sired by Woodbury, g sire, Justin ]\Iorgan. Dam sired by 
Post-boy. Sold, when sucking, to Joseph Sawyer, of Newbury, 
who kept him till he was six or seven years old, and sold him to Mr, 
Farrar, of Bucksfield, Maine, who, we think, has him now. Height 
14^ hands ; weight, nearly 1,100 lbs. ; color, chestnut. Good style 
and action, and a good stock horse. 

YOUNG BULRUSH 2d 

Was foaled in 1835, the property of Ellis Bliss, of Bradford, Yt. 
Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a good mare and 
fast trotter, Ijrought from Maine. 

Young Bulrvish 2d was 16 hands high, and weighed 1,200 lbs. 



B20 THE MOKGAN HOUSE. 

Color, briglit bay. Style not so good and built not so compact ar. 
Bomc, but liigli-spirited and a good roadster. lie was a fast trotter, 
and one of the strongest-going horses. Went South, when young. 

YOUNG BULRUSH 3d 

"Was foaled in 1843, the property of Evan Collis, who kept him 
during his life. After his death the administrators of his estate 
sold him to Edwin Collis, in 1855. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Imported Napoleon. Height, 14^^ 
hands; weight, 975 lbs. ; color, dapple gray. Yery good horse. 

YOUNG BULEUSH 4Tn 

Was foaled in 1843, the property of Thomas Worthin, of Thetford, 
Yt. Sired by Bulrush, g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Cincin- 
niiti Morgan. Now owned in Roxbury, Mass., by Mr. Martin ; 
14| hands high ; weight, 950 lbs. ; color, dapple gray. 

YOUNG AJ^IERIOA 

Was foaled in June, 1851. Sired by Farmers' Beauty, g sire, Gif- 
ford, g g sire, Woodbury, gg g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, a black, 
by Sherman. Young America is 15 hands high ; w^eighs 1,000 
lbs., and is a jet black/ Good style and action. Is now owned by 
John S. Carr, of GoITstown, N. H. Time, 3.5. 

YOUNG AMERICA 2d 
Was foaled" June ITth, 1852, the property of J. Ide, of St. Johns- 
bury, Yt. Sired by Billy Root, g sire, Sherman, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Green Mountain 1st, g dam by 
Bailey horse. Height, 15 hands ; weight, 950 lbs. ; color, dapple 
chestnut. The first premium on Sherman Morgans of this class, 
was awarded to him at the State Fair, at Montpelier, 1853. Sym- 
metrical figure, and very good action. 

YOUNG MORGAN EMPIRE 
Was foaled July, 1852, the property of Jonas Cutter, of Jeffi-ey, 
N. H. Sired by Morgan Empire, g sire, Green Mountain 2d. g g 
sire, Gilford, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire Justin Morgan. 
Dam sired by Flying Morgan. 



PEDIGREES. 821 

YOUNG MOKGAN ECLIPSE 

Was foaled in 1853, the property of Jesse Johnson & Brothers, of 
Bradford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Eclipse, g sire, Morgan Cassar, 
g g sire, Woodbury, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam by Young 
Morgan Emperor, g dam by Bulrush. Took the first premium in 
his class at the Yermont State Fair, in 1855. 

YOUNG BUEBANK 2d 

Was foaled in 1851, the property of Charles W. Barker, of Hills- 
borough Bridge, X. H. Sired by the Barker horse, g sire, Wood- 
bury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by a son of Sherman. 
Dark chestnut color ; weighs 975 lbs. Still owned by Mr. Barker. 

YANKEE BOY 

Was foaled 3d of June, 1852, the property of II;'ivey Yale, of 
Middlebury, Yt. Sired by Morgan Henry, g sire Barney Henrj. 
Dam by Hackett horse ; 15 hands high ; weight, 975 lbs. ; color, 
bay. A very pleasant-tempered and good-moving horse. In 1855 
Mr. Yale took him to Franklin Grove, Lee Co., Illinois, where he 
now is. 

YOUNG BLACK HAWK 
Was foaled in 1843, the property of James Smith, of Sharon, N. H. 
Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g Justin Morgan. Dam, 
a deep bay, raised in Pennsylvania, and sired by the trotting horse 
Andrew Jackson. Young Black Hawk is a coal black, 15| hands 
high, and weighs 975 lbs. He has a good figure and excellent 
spirit and action. Time 2.50. Is now owned by J. E. Maynard, 
Ijowell, Mass. 

YOUNG MORGAN EMPEROR 
Was foaled the property of Mr. Woods, of Haverhill, N. H. 
Sired by Emperor, g sire. Bulrush, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam by North Star. He is a blood bay, 14} hands high, weighs 
1,025 pounds. Is a compact, good moving and excellent horse. 
He is now owned by Jonas Cutter, of Jefirey, N. H 

YOUNG C^SAR 
Was foaled the property of Jesse Johnson & Brothers, of Brad 



822 THE MORGAN HORStE. 

ford, Yt. Sired by Morgan Caesar, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire, 
Justin Morgan. Dam by Morgan Emperor. He was 15^ hands 
high, v/eighcd 1,075 lbs. and his color a dull black. He was a 
good horse. He died at Guildhall, Yt., in 1853, the property of 
F. W. Smith. 

YOUNG FLYING MORGAN 

Was foaled in 1851. Sired by North Star, g sire, Morgan Em- 
peror, g g sire, Bulrush, g g g sire, Justin Morgan. Dam a Mor- 
gan mare, sired by Flying Morgan. Weight, 9G0 lbs. ; color, bright 
bay. Now owned by Benj. M. Gliues, of Byfield, Mass. Time, 2.45. 

YOUNG HUBBAED 

Was sired by Latham Horse, g sire, Woodbury, g g sire Justin 
Morgan. Dam by Gilford. Weight, 1,025 lbs. ; color, chestnut. 
Mr. Hubbard bought him of Judge Blodgett, of Chelsea, Yt. 

YOUNG LATHAM 

Was foaled the property of Beyer Latham, of Lyme, N. H. Sired 
by Latham horse, g sire Woodbury, g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam by Post-boy: 15i hands high; weight, 1,150 lbs. ; color, 
chestnut ; good action, and a fine stock horse. 

YOUNG MORRILL 
Was foaled in 1848, the property of Mr. Smith, of Cabot. Yt. 
Sired by Morrill horse, g sire, Jenuison Horse, g g sire One Eye, 
ggg sire, Bulrush, g ggg sire, Justin Morgan. Dam sired by Sher- 
man ; 16 hands high ; weight, 1,160 lbs. ; color, dark brown. Mr. 
Smith sold him, when three years old, to Mr. Morrill, and Morrill to 
Messrs. Town & Trowe, Barre, Yt. He received the first premium 
at Yermont State Fair, at Montpelier, 1853 ; also the first premium 
among Bulrush Morgans, at Rutland, 1855. Was then taken to 
the National Exhibition at Boston, Oct., 1855, and entered in class 
for general use, where he received the first premium of ^200, 
Time, 2.38. A heavy, close, compact and enduring horse. 

YOUNG BULRUSH. 
(see one eye, also, allen hoese ) 



PEDIGEEES. 323 

(Omitted in pp. 273, 277, 304.) 

COL. FREMONT 

Wcs foaled June 16, 1855, the property of Linsley Brothers, 
West Meriden, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Black Lilly, sired by Old Jake. He 
is light chestnut, with small white stripe in the face, and is a 
promising colt. 

ENTERPRISE 

"Was foaled June 6, 1852, the property of Messrs. Maury & Gil- 
man, Nashua, N. H. Sired by Romeo, g sire, Green Mountain 2d, 
p: g sire, GiSbrd, g g g sire, Woodbury, g g g g sire, Justin Morgan. 
Dam sired by the Flint Horse. 

Enterprise is a light cliestnut, 15 hands high, and weighs 915 lbs. 
Is a smooth-built, stylish, free, pleasant-tempered horse, and is still 
owned by Messrs. Maury & Gilman, at Nashua, N. H. 

PATHFINDER 

AVas foaled June 21, 1851, the property of Linsley Brothers, 
West Meriden, Conn. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sherman, g g 
sire, Justin Morgan. Dam, Mary Hunter, sired by Roscoe. Path- 
finder is a very dark chestnut, 16 hands high, and weighs 1,125 lbs. 
He is a free, showy driver, and though never trained, can trot in 
three minutes. Is a fine horse, and still the property of Linsley 
Brothers. 

BLACK HAWK SHERMAN 

Was foaled July 1st, 1840, at Clarenceville, Canada East, tho 
property of Geo. W. Johnson. Sired by Black Hawk, g sire, Sher- 
man Morgan, g g sire, Justin Morgan ; dam by Black Snake. He 
is 1d^ hands high, weighs 12661bs., color black, with small star 
in the forehead, tail and mane long and wavey. Is a horse of very 
superior style and action, has never been trained, can trot his mile 
in 3 minutes. His limbs broad and flat, carrying the width well 
down below the knee. Was purchased for the Brownsville, Fayette 
Co., Pa., Mofgan Horse Co., by two of their members, Messrs. 
James Slocum and Wm. Elliott, at the Vermont State Fair at 
Montpelior, m Soplcinber, 1853. 



APPENDIX. 

The following pedigrees of stallions of some note, 
althoiigli not Morgans, are given because they have 
been mentioned in the preceding chapter, or have left 
a good deal of valuable stock, and their blood been 
more or less mingled with that of some horses called 
Morgan. 

COCK OF TPIE ROCK 

Was foaled in 1814, aud bred by Nathaniel Coles, of Long Island. 
Fie was sired by Duroc, g sire, Imported Diomed. His dam, 
Eomp, was full sister to Miller's Damsel, the dam of American 
Eclipse, and was sired by Messenger ; his g dam, the imported 
PotSos, mare, bred by Lord Grosvener, sired by PotSos, aud PotSos 
by the great Eclipse ; his g dam, by Gimcrack, his g g dam, by 
Cripple, and Cripple by the Godolphin Arabian. Cock of the 
Rock rail several successrul four mile races against good horses, 
but was beatan by Betsey Richards, on Long Island, and by Sir 
Walter at Montreal. About 1820, he was purchased by Gen. Bar- 
num, of Yergennes, Yt., who took him to that place and kept hira 
until 1828 or '20, when he sold hira, and he was taken to Tennessee, 
where he died. 

SIR WALTER 

Was sired by Hickory, g sire, imported Whip, g g sire, Saltram, g 
g g sire, English Eclipse, dam, Ncttletop, by Diomed. He was not 
kept in this State, but in Canada near the line. He was an excel- 
lent four mile racer. 

QUICKSILYER. 

The Quicksilver referred to in the foregoing pages is not tlie Quick- 
silver of the Stud Book, first called Snap and sired by Medley, but 

(S24) 



APPENDIX. 325 

is another horse of the same name, bred by Gorham Parsons, of 
Walpole, New Hampshire, and sired by Dey of Algiers, an Arabian. 

CARSON HORSE. 

This horse acquired some celebrity in the eastern part of the State, 
on account of his stock. We know little of him, except that he 
was sired by Quicksilver. 

HENRY 
Was, we believe, a thorough-bred horse, but we are unable to give 
his pedigree. He was a fine animal, and received several premiums 
in New York and elsewhere. He was kept near Lake Champlain 
until about 1850. He left some good stock. 

He was a beautiful bay, of good size and fine action. 

YOUNG HAMILTONIAN 

Was bred by Judge Larabee, of Shorehani, Yt., sired by Bishop's 
Hamiltonian, and he by imported Messenger. Dam, by Leonidas, 
g dam, by Bellfounder. 

Y^oung Hamiltonian was long owned by Allen Smith, Esq., of 
Addison, Vt. He was a blood bay, about 15 J hands high, and left 
some good stock. We are unable to give the blood of the dam of 
Bishop's Hamiltonian. 

BARNEY" HENRY, 

Or the Hatch Hill Henry, as he is sometimes called, has long been 
owned by George Barney, of Whitehall, N. Y., and is now over 
twenty years old. 

He has acquired well merited fame on account of the excellenco 
of his stock, which usually have plenty of bone and muscle, are 
hardy, spirited travellers but are not always kind and gentle. In 
his advertisement, Mr. Barney states that he was " sired by Sig'nal, 
out of a Messenger mare." But what was the blood of Signal we 
do not know. It has often been said that Signal was a thorough- 
bred horse, raised by L. G. Morris, Esq., of Fordham, N. Y., but 
Mr. Morris informs us that he never raised or owned such a horse. 



326 APPENDIX. 

Whatever be his pedigree, he has proved himself a very fine 
horse, as his appearance indicates. 

He is a dapple bay, IG hands high and weighs about 1150 lbs. 
He is now owned in Hubbartou, Vt. 



POST BOY, BY GABRIEL, 

Was foaled in 1800, the property of Mordecai Hall. Sired by 
Gabriel ; an imported horse bred by the Earl of Ossory, and sired 
])y Dorimont, his dam by Highflyer, g dam, by Snap. 

Gabriel was brought to Maryland in 1779, and lived but one 
year. Post Boy was purchased by Gen. Ridgley, who trained and 
ran him with much success, beating many of the best horses of his 
day, among them Hamlintonian, Miller's Damsel, First Consul, Maria, 
and Lavinia. In Oct. 1809, in a race at Washington, with Hick- 
ory, he fell, broke his leg, and soon after died. He was never kept 
for stock, and we believe, left no descendants ; and we give his pedi- 
gree and this description of him because he has been confounded 
with Post Boy, the distinguished son of Henry, and his pedigree 
sometimes gfiven when the latter horse is meant. 



POST BOY, BY HENRY, 

Was foaled in 1831, sired by Henry, dam, Garland, by Duroc, was 
a chestnut horse, of much note and a successful racer. He wa? 
never kept in this State, but some of his descendants have been 
The few horses we have seen of this stock were light limbed, and 
light bodied, with fine heads, and light, graceful action ; but not re- 
markable for hardiness or endurance. 

SIR CHARLES 

Was foaled about 1815, the property of James Cock, of Oyster 
Bay, Long Island. Sired by Duroc, g sire, Diomed, g g sire, Flori- 
zcl, g g g sire, King Herod ; dam, by Plato, and he by Messenger, 
g dam, part thorough-bred, but her pedigree is not known. 

When six years old he was purchased by David Hill, Esq., of 
Bridport, Yt., and kept by him many years. 



APPENDIX. 327 

When very old, Mr. Hill's sou took him to Madison County, N. 
Y., where he died. He was a blood bay, with black legs, mane 
and tail, and 151 hands high ; was a bold-looking, fine-moving 
horse, and left some good stock. 

Some of the descendants of the celebrated rivals, Henry and 
Eclipse, being scattered throughout all the Northern States, their 
pedigree may be found convenient as a matter of reference, though 
we do not know of any immediate descendants of these horses that 
have been owned in this State. 



ECLIPSE 

Was foaled at Dosoris, Queens County, Long Island, on the 25th 
of May, 1814, the property of Gen. Nathaniel Coles. Sired by 
Duroc, g sire, Diomed, g g sire, Florizel, g g g sire, King Herod ; 
dam, the celebrated Miller's Damsel, by imported Messenger, g 
dam, the English PotSos mare, sired by English Eclipse, g g dam, 
by Gimcrack. When fiive years old he was purchased by Mr. Van 
Ranst, who was his entire or principal owner, during the whole of 
his racing career. 

He was chestnut,- with a star in his forehead, and near hind foot 
white. Was 15^ hands high and a compact heavy limbed horse. 

As a racer he was one of the most successful that ever appeared 
on the turf in this country, beating in the eight races which he ran 
some of the most celebrated horses of his time ; Sea Gull, Little 
John, Fearnought, Lady Lightfoot, Flag of Truce, Sir Walter, Sir 
Charles and Henry. 

HENRY 

Was foaled the 17th of June, 1819, the property of Lemuel Long, 
near Halifax, North Carolina. Sired by Sir Archy, g sire, Dio- 
med, g g sire, Florizel, g g g sire, King Herod ; dam by Diomed, g 
dam, by Bell-air, g g dam, by Pilgrim, g g g dam. Valiant, g g g g 
dam by Janus, g g g g g data, by Jolly Roger, who was imported 
into Virginia. Jolly Roger was sired by Roundhead, a son of Fly- 
ing Childers. 

Henry was a chestnut, with small star in the forehead and ono 
hind foot white, his mane and tail was about two shades lighter 



328 ' PEDIGREES. 

than Ills body ; fourteen hands three and a half inches high — was 
symmetrical, compact, pony-built horse, and left some good stock, 
of which the most noted was Post Boy. 

Though not as much esteemed as a racer or breeder as some of 
the sons of Sir Archy, he was yet a very fine horse, and gained a 
lasting reputation by his contest with Eclipse, in which, although 
beaten, he made the first heat of four miles in 7m. 37s., which was 
then and for many years after, the quickest time on record. 

WILD AIR 

Was foaled in 1753, and was imported by Mr. DeLancey, in 1763 
or 1764. He was sired by Cade the best son of the Godolphin 
Arabian ; his dam was by Steady, a fleet son of Flying Childers, 
his g dam was by Partner ; Partner by Jigg and Jigg by the 
Byerley Turk. 

Wildair was a horse of high blood and great ^performance ; but 
he was beat by Mr. Warren's Sportsman, before he left England. 
In this country he was sire to Col. Sims' Wildair Sultana and 
other noted racers. He was taken back to England about the 
year 1772. His stock proved excellent and were long in high re- 
pute. 



LIST OF MORGAN HORSES. 





PAGE 




PAUB 


Alban Horse 


262 


Baxter Horse 


209 


Arabian Morgan 


26.3 


Bardwell Horse 


272 


Ashuelot Morgan, 


262 


Benton Horse 


272 


Allen Horse 


262 


Billy Root 


271 


Andrews Horse 


202 


Bird Horse 


268 


American Eagle 


263 


Bliss Horse 


267 


Andrew Jackson 


263 


Blue Morgan 


191,193 


Addison 


263 


Bonaparte 


260 


Bay Morgan 


26.5 


Boston Tiger 


268 


Bay State Morgan 1st 


270 


Brock Horse 


269 


Bay State Morgan 2d 


270 


Brown Morgan 


270 


Bailey Horse 


265 


Belle of Saratoga 


194 


Barker Horse 


179, 266 


Bulrush 144, 160, 163, 


167, 264 


Bartholomew Horse 


266 


Bulrush Morgan 


264 


Bachelder Horse 


208 


Buchanan Horse 


267 


Blanchard Horse 


269 


Burbank Horse 


267 


Black Morgan 


270 


Bussorah 


268 


Black Lion 


271 


Clarke Horse 


273 


Black Jack 


272 


Clarke Horse 


276 


Black Ralph 


193 


Charles Smith Horse 


273 


Black Hawk, 172, 178, 


179, 191 


Crane Horse 


179,273 


193, 264 




Chamberlain Horse 


274 


Black Hawk Chief 


206 


Cai-peuter's Gray 


274 


Black Hawk Eclipse 


267 


Cham plain 


275 


Black Hawk Morgan 


267 


Champion Black Hawk 


80,87 


Black Hawk Napoleon 


269 


275 




Black Hawk Prince 


270 


Charley 


275 


Black Hawk. Jr., Isr 


273 


Chicago Jack 


194 


Black Hawiv, Jr., 2d 


272 


Carleton Horse 


276 


Black Hawk Maid 


191,193 


Challenge 


276 


Black Hawk Sherman 


323 


[329] 





830 LIST OF MORGAN HORSES. 






PAGE 




PAGE 


Childs Horso 


273 


General Gifford, Jr 


285 


Clements Horse 


274 


General Taylor 


284 


Clifton 


274 


General Cook Horse 


283 


Cock of the Rock 


273 


Glines Horse 


284 


Colby Horse 


273 


Gifford 


179, 284 


Coos Morgan 


275, 311 


Gifford Morgan 


73 


Comet 


276 


Gifford Morgan, Jr 


285 


Davis Horse 


277 


Goodale Horse 


282 


Deerfield Morgan 


277 


Goodale Horse 


283 


Don Juan 


276 


Golden Eagle 


286 


Dubois Horse 


277 


Gray Hawk 


195 


Ethan Allen 192, 


193, 277 


Hawkins Horse 


146 


Ethan Allen 2d 


278 


Hall Horse 


286 


Emperor 


277 


Harlow Horse 


287 


Enfield Horse 


278 


Hackett Horse 


195, 287 


Esty Horse 


279 


Hampden 


287 


Falcon 


281 


Hebard Horse 


287 


Falcon 2d 


281 


Henry Clay 


195 


Farmer's Beauty 


281 


Hubbard Horse 


286 


Farrar Horse 


280 


Hubbard Horse 2d 


288 


Feuton Horse 146, 


147, 279 


Huckins Horse 


287 


Flint Horse 


281 


Ives Horse 


288 


Fox 


280 


Justin Morgan 25, 


26, 92, 175 


Fox Morgan 


281 


Jemie 


288 


Fly in j^ Cloud 1st 


279 


Jerry 


288 


Flying Cloud 2d' 


279 


Karby Horse 


289 


Flying Morgan 194 


,195,279 


Kent's Morgan 


289 


Flying Morgan Sprout 


280 


Kent Colt 


289 


Flying Morgan of Petersham 281 


Know Nothing 


194 


Gates Horse 


282 


Kite 


289 


Granite State Morgan 


285 


Knight's Horse 


288 


Granite State 


286 


Lady Sherman 


195 


Green Mountain 1st 8(. 


;, 87, 172 


Lady Sutton, 


191, 192 


282 




Latham Horse 


289 


Green Mountain 2d 


282 


Lawton Horse 


290 


Green Mountain 8d 


285 


Lemon Fair 


290 


Green Mountain, Jr 


283 


Lone Star 


290 


General Gifford 1st 


72, 283 


May Fly 


291 


General Gifford 2d 


283 


Matchless 


£92 


General Gifibrd 3d 


285 


Major 


298 



LIST OF MORGAN HOESES. 



831 





PAGE 




PAGB 


Major Gifford 


299 


Morgan Fusion 


301 


Melviu Horse 


293 


Model Morgan 


292 


Merriman Horse 


294 


Mountaineer 


302 


Messer Horse 


300 


Moody Horse 


291 


Morgan Lion 


290 


Mountain Eagle 


299 


Morgan Trotter 


179,291 


Monill Horse 


301 


Morgan King 


291 


Myrick Horse 


300 


Morgan Eat 


291 


Nearing Horse 


302 


Morgan Tigei 


291 


Newton Horse 


302 


Morgan Caesai 


195, 292 


Ne well's Gray 


302 


Morgan Star 


293 


Nicholas 


303 


Morgan Champion 


293 


Nimrod 


303 


Morgan Napoleon 


293 


Niles Horse 


303 


Morgan Comet 


293, 301 


North Horse 


302 


Morgan Chief 


294 


North Star 


302 


Morgan Figure 


294 


Old Morrell Horse 


304 


Morgan Postboy 


294 


One Eye 


303 


Morgan Defiance 


294 


Orleans Flying Morgan 


303 


Morgan Dragon 


294 


Paul Clifford 


304 


Morgan Eagle 


192, 295 


Peacock Morgan 


305 


Morgan Emperor 179, 


, 194, 295 


Peters' Morgan 


306 


Morgan Emperor 2d 


296 


Parks Horse 


306 


Morgan Eclipse 


295 


Pike Horse 


304 


Morgan Empire 


296 


Pizarro 


192 


Morgan Hunter 


296 


Pleasant Gale 


306 


Morgan Chief 


296 


Plato 


305 


Morgan Robbin 


297 


Pope Horse 


305 


Morgnn Rattler 


297, 298 


President 


306 


IMorgan Recruit 


297 


Prince Albert 


304 


Morgan Tiger let 


297 


Putnam Horse 


304 


Morgan Bucephalus 


298 


Putnam Horse 2d 


305 


Morgan General 


298 


Randolph Morgan 


306 


Morgan Sultan 


299 


Ramsey Horse 


307 


Morgan Trustee 


299 


Kaven 


308 


Morgan Chieftain 


299 


Revenge 


308 


IMorgan Black Hawk 


300 


Eip Van Winkle 


307 


Morgan Traveller 


300 


Rising Sun 


309 


Morgan Traveller 2d 


300 


Robin 


307 


IMorgan Tally Ho 


195, 300 


Rolland Horse 


307 


Morgan Tiger 2d 


301 


Romeo 1st 


308 



332 



LIST OF MORGAN HORSES. 





PAGE 




PAQB 


Komeo 2d 


308 


Vermont Morgan Champion 


315 


Rounds Colt 


307 


Vermont Chief 


316 


Rowel Horse 


309 


Way Horse 


318 


Royal Morgan 179, 


,309 


Walker Horse. 


319 


Sawj^er Horse 


313 


Wellington Horse 


317 


Hcott Horse 


312 


Wheeler Horse 


317 


Searcher 


313 


White Mountain 


317 


Selim 


313 


White Mountain Morgan 


318 


Sherman 144, 150, 155, 163^ 


, 169 


Whalebone 


319 


176, 178, 179 




Wiley Colt 


317 


Sherman Morgan Ist 


310 


Wild Air 


318 


Sherman Morgan 2d 


312 


Windsor Morgan 


318 


Sherman King 


311 


Woodbury 


319 


Sherman Morgan Defiance 


311 


Woodbury 2d 


316 


Sherman Black Hawk 193, 


, 194 


Yankee Boy 


321 


311 




Young Americp 


320 


Shirtliff Horse 


312 


Y^'oung America 2d 


320 


Sir Charles 


311 


Young Bulrush 


322 


Smith Morgan 


313 


Young Bulrush 2d 


319 


Stevens Horse 


313 


Young Bulrush 3d 


320 


Stockbridge Chief 193 


, 311 


Y'oung Bulrush 4th 


320 


Stranger 


312 


Young Burbank 1st 


319 


Taylor Horse 


314 


Young Burbank 2d 


321 


Teciimseh 


314 


Young Black Hawk 


321 


Turner's Black Hawk 


314 


Y^'oung Csesar 


321 


Twin Morgan 


314 


Young Flying Morgan 


322 


Vermont 


315 


Young Hubbard 


322 


Vermont 2d 


315 


Young Latham 


322 


Vermonter 


316 


Y^'oung Morrill 


322 


Vermont Boy- 


192 


Young Morgan Emperor 


321 


Vermont Champion 


315 


Young Morgan Eclipse 


321 


Vermont Morgan 


316 


Young Morgan Empire 


320 



LIST OF HORSES 



(NOT MORGANS) 



MENTIONED IN THIS WORK, 





PAGE 




FAOI 


Ap<>llo 


22 


Engineer 


24 


Barney Henry 


324 


Flora Temple 


194 


Betty 


177 


Fag Down 


81 


Bloody Buttocks 


177 


Forest Maid 


192 


Blank 


22 


Florizel 


22 


Byerly Turk 


22, 127 


Gabi'iel 


325 


Blockesby 


177 


Gimcrack 


177, 178, 165 


Celia 


177 


Gray Eagle 


173, 191 


Childers 


22 


Godolphin Arabian 


19, 177 


Cock of the Rock 


25, 323 


Gres wood's Partner 


177 


Carson Horse 


324 


Greyhound 


177 


Croft's Partner 


22, 127 


Hamiltonian 


22, 25, 81 


Cripple 


177 


Hambletonian 


22,23 


Columbus 


193 


Henry 


25, 324, 326 


Cui-wen's Bay Barb 


127 


Jigg 


22, 127 


Dey of Algiers 


25 


King Herod 


22 


Diomed 


22, 165 


Lady Miller 


81 


Duroc 


25, 165 


Lady Moscow 


191 


Dying Sergeant 


191 


Lee Boo 


194 


Eclipse 25, 


165, 356 


Lady Suffolk 


191, 194 



[838] 



384 



LIST OF HORSES NOT MORGANS. 







PAGE 






PAGH 


Lady Swan 




192 


Shark 




22 


Leonides 




324 


Sir Walter 




25, 323 


Lindsey's Arabian 




126 


Sir Charles 




25, 325 


Messenger 23, 


24, 


25, 81, 165 


Soto 




192 


Miller's Damsel 




24 


Sal 




191 


IMiss Elliott 




177 


Sir Archy 




22, 165 


Mambriuc 




23,81 


Signal 




324 


Murdoch 




193, 194 


Tartar 




22 


Tilorton's Traveller 




127, 128 


Tippoo Saib 




81 


Postboy 




25, 325 


Tramp 




195 


Quicksilver 




323 


True Briton 


101, 103, 


116, 127 


Regulus 




24 


Turf 




24 


Revenge 


144, 146, 148 


Whalebone 




195 


Eose of Washington 


192 


Wild Air 




104, 327 


Sampson 




24 


Young Hamiltonian 


324 


Sport 




127 








Spectator 




SS 









INDEX. 



PACK 

Agricultural Fairs, trainiug for exhibition at - - 233 

" trotting matches at - - - 196 

Arabian Horses, origin and Classification - - - 12 

Arabian Horse, first importation of into England - - 18 

Affidavit of John Stearas concerning Justin Morgan - - 97 

America, breeds of horses in - - - - 21 

Andalusian horses - - - - - 15, 22 

Associations for improving the breed of horses - - 216 

Barb, characteristics of the - - - - 12, 15 

Breaking horses ------ 219 

Breed of horses, best methods of improving - - - 200 

Breeding of horses, medium size, best for - - - 213 

Breeding animals, selection of - . - - . 205 

Business horse, character and traits requii'ed for - - 55 

Bulrush, history of - - - - - -160 

Canadian horses ------ 21 

Certificate of Committee of Vermont State Ag. Soc. awarding 

first premium to D. C. Linsley for Essay on Morgan Horses 8 

Certificate of David Goss to Portrait of Justin Morgan - 9 

'♦ Solo. Steele " ic u .9 

" Dan'l Baldwin «' " « - - 9 

Cleveland Bays ------ 20 

Characteristics of the Morgan Horee - - - 72-91 

Chinese horses --._.- 14 

Criticisms on Morgan Horse.s - _ - - 72-91 

[385] 



886 INDEX. 

Coach horse, English ------ 20 

Cone&toga horse - ----- 21 

Color of a good horse - - - - ' - 62 

CorrespondeDce relative to Origin of Morgan Horse - - 98 

Dams, Arabs, trace the pedigrees of horses through the - 13 

Draft horse, English varieties - - - - - 20 

Dam of Justin Morgan - - - 125 

Dariey, Arabian, imported into England - - - - 19 

Diomed ------- 22 

Driving upon the Road ----- 239, 243 

Dongola horses - - - - - • - 13 

Dutch horses - - . - - - - 14 

Eclipse, description of - - - - - 60 

English Eace Horse, deterioration of - - - 36, 38 

English Horses ------ 17 

Egypt, the horse is traced to - - - - - 12 

Finland Horses - - - - - - 16 

Flanders, importation of horses from, into England - - 18 

Feeding and driving on the Road - . . - 238 
Fenton Horse, history of ..... 147 

Flemish horses -..._- 14 

French horses ... - - 15, 22 

German Horses - - - - - - -16 

German " running horses" imported into England - - 17 

General Gilford, the representative of the race - - 72, 73 

Gi fiord Morgan ....-- 73 

Gimcrack, Memoir of- - - - -177 

Godolphin Arabian, imported into England - - 19 

Hawkins horse, history of . _ - - . 146 

Hackney, English - - - - - - 19 

Hamiltonian horse, pedigree of - - - - 22 

Hack horses, kind most sought for - - - 47 

Harness, qualities of a horse to appear well in - - - 61 

Helmsley Turk, imported into England - - - 18 

History of Hav^^kins horse . . . . . 146 

History of Fenton horse ..... 147 



INDEX 837 

PAGB 

History of the Horse ...... 9 

History aud descriptions of Stallions sired by Justin Morgan 144 
History of Justin Morgan - - . . . 131-143 
History of Revenge - - - - - -148 

Hunter, the English - - - - - - 19, 40 

History of Woodbury --..-. 156 

Bulrush ------ 160 

Horses (not Morgan), List of - - - - - 333 

Horse, the companion and servant of man - - - 1 

Horses, Arabian - - - - - - 12 

Dongola -..-.-- 13 

Toorky - - - - - - 14 

Chinese ----.-- 14 

" Persian - - - - - - 14 

" Flemish 14 

" Dutch - 14 

Italian 15 

" Neapolitan ----- - 16 

" Andalueiiin - - - - - - 15 

" (Jeruian ------ 16 

" Hungarian - - - - - - 16 

" Swedish ,------ 16 

" Russian ------- 17 

English ----- 17 

" Conestoga - - - - - - 21 

Canadian ------ 21 

" Kind most sought for - - - - - 44 

India, horses of - - - - .. - 14 

Italian horses - - - - - - - 15 

Indiana, character of horses in . . - - 26 

Iceland, horses of - - - - - - 16 

Importation of horses from the Levant into England - 19 

" German horses into England - - - 17 

" Arabian horses " . - - 18 

" horses from Flanders into England - - 18 

« Darley Arabian " - - 19 

Justin Morgan, Memoir and description of - - 131-143 

Owners of - . - - 140 

Death of 142 



338 INDEX. 

rAGH 

Justin Morgan, Dam of - - - - 103, 125 

Reported Sire of - - 101,103,116 

Jttstiu Morgan 2d, Letter from - - - - 99 

Kentucky, ciiaracter of the horses of - - - 26 

Letter from Justin Morgan 2d - - - - 99, 104 

'* George Barnard ----- 97 

M. O. Walker, 89 

" Mr. Weissinger ----- 102 

" Frederic A. Weir - . . - . 102 

" Milo June ----- 88 

List of Morgan horses mentioned . - _ _ 328 

" horses (not Morgan) mentioned - . - 333 

Morgan Stallions, pedigrees and description of - - - 260 

Messenger, pedigree of ----- 23 

Morgan horses, performances of - - - - 185-199 

" present value of - - - - 196 

" origin of - - - - ■« - 92 

« list of 328 

" a distinct breed - . . - l 
" hardiness and endurance of - - -1 

" peculiar adaptation to the Koad and General use 63 

** instance of their endurance - - - 65 

" tlescription of - - - - - 66 

" dift'er from the Canadian, - - - 110 

" different families of, characteristics - - 105 

" but three distinct families of - - 167 

" stock in Vermont . - - - I75 

" High Prices of - - - - 197 

Narragansett Pacer - - - - - - 22 

Neapolitan horses ------ 16 

New England character, horses of - - - - 25 

New York character, horses of - - - - 25 

Norman horses ------- 15 

Omnibus horses, kind of horses most sought for - - 47 

Origin of the Morgan Horse - - - - - 92 

Ohio, character of horses of - - - - - 26 



INDEX. 339 

PAGK 

Pennsylvania, character of horses of - - - 26 

Persian horses ------ 14 

Performances of Morgan horses - - - _ 185-199 

Preparation for exhibition - - - - 233 

Pedigree of Hamiltonian horse - - - - - 22 

" of Messenger - - - - - 23 

" of Morgan stallions - . - . 260-322 

" of Hawkins horse ----- 14(3 

" of Fenton liorse - - - _ . 147 

" of Revenge - - - - - 148 

" of Sherman - - - - - 150 

" of Woodbury - - - - - ■ 156 

" of Bulrush - - - - - - 160 

Purchasing horses --.--_ 250 

Eaces established at Hyde Park - - - - - 18 

Races closed by Cromwell ----- 19 

Revenge, history of . . . - - 148 

Riding manly and healthful exercise - - - - 45 

Roadsters - . . ... 50 

Russian horses ._._-. 17 

Selection of breeding animals - - . - 205 
Services, change in kind of, required - - - - 30, 34 

Services rendered by the liorse - - - . 29 

SirArchy 22 

Sherman, history of ----- - 150 

Southern States, character of horses of - - - 27 
Spanish horses - - - - - - 12, 15, 18 

Sporting horses, demand for ... - 49 

Stallions sired by Justin Morgan . - - - 144 

Swedish horses ------ 16 

Size, medium, best for breeding - - - - 213 

Size best adapted for service . _ . - 88 

Tartar horses - - ----- 17 

Toorkoraans, horses of - - - - - 14 

Toorky breed of horses - - - - - - 14 

Toorkistan, horses of . . - . - 14 

Trotter preferred to the racer - - - - - 80 



840 



INDEX. 



Trotting matches .at Agricultural Fairs 
Truck horses - . . . 

Tme Briton, reputed sire of Justin Morgan 
Trotting matches, the first in America 

Unsoundness - - . 

White Turk, purchase of 
Wild horses, where found - 
Woodbury, history of 
Weight of Morgan stallions 



196 

48 

301, 116 

80 

252 

- 18 
20 

- 156 
179 



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